City of Oshkosh Makes Push to Restore Revenue Sharing

(Oshkosh, WI) On Sept. 25, 2012, the Oshkosh Common Council unanimously adopted a new resolution requesting Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and legislative leaders to provide property tax relief through the restoration of funds to the Shared Revenue Program. With the state recently announcing a return to the black financially, the Oshkosh Common Council believes shared revenue restoration is essential to helping create jobs and economic growth.

In the last ten years, the shared revenue program has been cut three times, including a cut of $48 million in 2012. The Shared Revenue and Expenditure Restraint Program of Oshkosh alone was reduced by nearly $1.2 million in 2012.

The city is expected to see another dip of almost $34,000 in 2013.

Tax revenues for the state of Wisconsin were projected to be $126 million higher than budgeted. The Oshkosh Common Council believes that increase can be attributed to economic growth and new jobs in Wisconsin. Without municipalities investing significant funds in infrastructure, and services that the public and businesses demand, this growth would not be possible.

Mark Rohloff, Oshkosh City Manager, stands firmly behind the council’s decision, saying, “Even in the face of reduced revenue, the city of Oshkosh has continued to provide much needed services, such as police protection, fire suppression, and road maintenance that enhance our community and make it an attractive location for economic development. Our hope is that Shared Revenue funds can be restored to cities like Oshkosh, so that taxpayers can receive relief on their next property tax bill.”