That pattern holds true in central Wisconsin. For Stevens Point Mayor Gary Wescott, several of the governor's proposals raise warning flags.
Dollars are fewer.
This city has done an exceptional job of efficiently spending the taxpayers' money, and I always get very upset with state officials who portray municipal spending as out of control. Also worrisome to Wescott is the governor's plan to implement municipal shared-revenue reforms recommended recently by the Kettl Commission. Among the duties former Gov. Tommy Thompson issued to the 32-member panel was studying the funding relationship between state and local governments. In his new budget, McCallum proposes dedicating one-quarter of 1 percent of the state's 5 percent sales tax to municipal shared revenue per capita payments, according to the state Budget in Brief. To qualify for funds, municipalities will have to enter into area cooperation compacts and limit spending increases, according to the budget.