Doyle budget could mean millions more in shared revenue for city

March 19, 2007 -- The city could receive millions of dollars in additional state shared revenue payments under Gov. Jim Doyle's budget proposal, according to city officials.

Doyle's budget would increase the municipal aid appropriation by $15 million in 2008-09, according to a memo prepared by the city's intergovernmental relations office.

"Assuming the increase is distributed proportionately, this would result in approximately $4 million more in shared revenue to Milwaukee for the 2008 budget," the memo said.

On the other hand, a proposed 2% annual increase in general transportation aids the state sends to local governments may not boost Milwaukee's share at all.

"It is unclear whether this increase will overcome the anticipated decline in our payment due to a forumula that rewards jurisdictions with increasing mileage," the memo said.

Last year, Milwaukee -- where many streets are older and in need of repair -- received $23 million in general transportation aids, according to the State Department of Transportation.

The general transportation aid program is the second largest program in WisDOT’s budget and helps local government pay for things like road construction, maintenance, and other transportation-related costs.

The city memo outlines a broad array of proposals in Doyle's budget that could affect the city. Doyle's budget calls for, among other things:

• Doubling the recycling fee, from $3 to $6, charged for every ton of waste brought to a landfill. "There is no proposal to increase aid to local recycling programs, therefore the increase will significantly increase costs for property tax payers," the analysis said.
• Providing $17 million in bonding revenue to get $31 million in federal money to clean up and revitalize the Kinnickinnic River and Estabrook Park.
• Increasing the school levy tax credit enough to reduce the average property tax bill for schools by $45.
• Providing double the state reimbursement per pupil for a proposed city-chartered boarding school.
• Allowing school districts to exceed state-imposed revenue limits by $25,000 per 500 students to purchase school security equipment or to partner with law enforcement agencies willing to provide matching funds. "It appears that MPS can exempt $1.3 million annually of such expenditures from the limits," the memo said. "This provides an opportunity for the City to collaborate with MPS on school safety initiatives."
• Giving the city Redevelopment Authority the power to enter a blighted property to make inspections, surveys, appraisals, soundings or test borings and to seek a court order allowing it do any of those things if the property owner resists or denies entry.
• Giving $500,000 to the Milwaukee 7 for economic development efforts.
• Providing $2.5 million to the Medical College of Wisconsin to develop a "translational research facility" to find markets for lab discoveries.
• Increasing real estate transfer fees to pay for a $4 million Affordable Housing Trunst Fund.
• Providing $500,000 to continue the Mayor's Summer Youth Jobs Program.
• Doubling the funding for the Youth Apprenticeship Program to $2.2 million. The program is designed to allow high school students experience hands on learning at the worksite in conjunction with classroom instruction.
• Establishing a child care quality rating system.

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