Press Release: Dane County Mayors Urge State to Fund Local Governments

Dane County is the fastest growing county in the state and one of the driving forces of Wisconsin's economy. Dane's local governments provide the infrastructure and other basic services that help underpin this success, which is felt statewide. Our residents also contribute billions of dollars to the state through the income and sales tax. However, Dane County communities are increasingly unable to benefit from the economic growth they are helping to generate and are struggling just to continue the same level of service they have long provided their residents because of misguided policies at the state-level.

Dane County's seven Mayors met this week to discuss how to work together on a host of local issues - including reforms to state laws that artificially restrict local governments' ability to meet the needs of their residents.

Monona Mayor Mary O'Connor emphasized that there's a reason why an increasing number of Wisconsin communities are seeking funding referendums.

"As is true of many other Wisconsin communities, Monona has reached the point where we simply can't continue to provide the services our residents expect under the current state levy limits," said Mayor O'Connor. "We've cut as much as we can and have implemented a number of efficiencies but have to generate more revenue in order to provide basic city services. Wisconsin has to consider a change in the way local municipalities are allowed to fund their operations."