FAILURE TO FUND MANDATES LEADS TO LONG-TERM PROBLEMS

Last week this column discussed a presentation to the Sheboygan County Finance Committee by Adam Payne, county administer, about the long-range financial issues facing the county. Payne went into some detail on the efforts that have been taken to streamline county services – decreasing of staff, savings and adjustment in the cost of insurance, savings on capital expenditures, cutting property taxes and much more. He again made a power-point presentation to the full Sheboygan County Board at its regular Jan. 19 meeting.

What could not be covered in the space available in the first column was the main reason for Payne’s presentation.

He argued that even with the extensive efforts that continue to be made to control costs, if we look 10 years out, Sheboygan County will be in a difficult financial situation. He cautioned that Sheboygan County needs to react early; he presented a number of options including a half-percent sales tax, increased property tax, doing nothing, and a combination of options. Payne put together a packet of information called "Vision 2020" where much of the information can be found.

The major cause of the financial problem, Payne insisted, is that the state mandates programs but fails to fully fund them. As an example, he had Health and Human Services Director Thomas Eggebrecht list the state mandates his county agency is required to follow and show what the county receives from the state and what it costs the county tax payers.
Child welfare:
state provides $1,764,736;
county covers $3,310,249
Economic support:
state provides $1,646,178;
county covers $590,199
Community programs:
state provides $4,299,355;
county covers $4,820,292
Public health:
state provides $607,802;
county covers $2,131,219.
Juvenile justice:
state provides $1,746,070;
county covers $1,982,689.

Besides the limited funding for Sheboygan County Health and Human Services, there is also county court system funding, county highway funding – and the list goes on.

With the budget problems experienced at the state level, Payne expects little to no help from the state. He stressed that the state budget problems have been continuous since the mid-1990s and the practice of not fully funding programs has been followed by both political parties. That practice has had a negative effect on all counties and those long-term effects will likely grow.

Payne reminded the full Sheboygan County Board that it is important to look at the long-range financial situation to see what options may be available. It is up to the full Board to make the decisions on what needs to be done.

He advised the Board that a half-percent sales tax could provide a way to pay off the Sheboygan County debt, lower property taxes, set up a job-development office and provide some needed highway funding.

The 33-page "Vision 2020" presented by Payne is available for review on the Sheboygan County Web site: www.co.she boygan.wi.us. Community Cable TV records each Sheboygan County Board meeting and this one should be on the Web within a couple of weeks.

Adam Payne told the Sheboygan County Board that he is scheduled for a number of presentations to the Sheboygan Chamber of Commerce, service organizations, Sheboygan County Tax payers Alliance and others over the next month. He is willing, as time permits, to meet with other such organizations. He stressed it is important for everyone to understand our financial situation, the limitations and obligations set by the State of Wisconsin, and the options available to the Board.