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[Back] [Email to a Friend] [Printer Friendly Version]Board Petitioned On Budget (first Edition)
People Implore County Board For More Money(second Edition)
Public Weighs In On Dane County Budget Proposal.
Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL/WISCONSIN :: B1
Friday, October 24, 2003
Lesley Rogers Barrett County reporter
Hundreds of people -- many wearing red shirts in support of developmental
disability agencies -- pleaded to the Dane County Board on Thursday for more
money in its 2004 budget.At the packed hearing, people asked for more money for mental health care, developmental disabilities and human services. They also spoke against merging the county Parks Department with the Planning and Development Department.
The County Board will now make changes to County Executive Kathleen Falk's proposed $399.9 million budget for 2004, which included cuts to most departments to make up for a $7 million loss in state funds.
Advocates suggested the County Board increase property taxes more or consider creating a wheel tax -- adding a $20 local fee to the state's $55 motor vehicle registration fee.
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One speaker, Carter Ayres, said a public-private partnership should be created to find new revenue. He suggested a specialized license plate promoting Dane County Human Services to raise money.
"We need some creative marketing ... to keep Dane County at the forefront of the nation at providing resources," Ayres said.
Agencies that contract with the county Department of Human Services face cuts between 2 to 5 percent from their current funding.
Laurie Lusk broke down in tears as she spoke Thursday, asking board members to maintain funding for autism programs. Her adult daughter is autistic and Lusk is worried that she's at risk because cuts have left her group home with insufficient staffing.
"We must prioritize people," Lusk said. "Please put money back. People are being hurt already."
Bill Lunney, chairman of the Parks Commission, was one of several people asking board members not to approve the cost-saving measure to merge the Parks Department with Planning and Development.
"A change in structure can result in a permanent, negative impact," Lunney said, noting that land donations might be at risk.
County Board Chairman Kevin Kesterson said the board will have to weigh concerns of cutting services versus raising property taxes.
Falk's budget already includes a higher-than-usual 4.85 percent property tax hike.
"Taxes will go up," Kesterson said. "If we add something back into the budget, taxes will go up, there's no choice."
\ What's next?
After Thursday's hearing on the proposed $399.9 million budget for 2004:
* County Board committees will spend the next two weeks making amendments.
* Budget deliberations begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
