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Ad Hoc Committee to Review Alternatives to Special Assessments
Minutes / Notes - 3
November 13, 2019
Present: Matt Mugerauer, Karen Bowen, Vicky Fitzgerald, Gerard Keuler, Matt
Lauritch, Donn Lord, Koby Schellenger, Ken Arneson, Kris Larson,
Absent: Mark Miller, Bill Miller, Kelly Schwab
Staff: Mark Rohloff, James Rabe, Russ Van Gompel
Public: John Casper, Wayne Youngwirth
Matt Mugerauer expressed his thanks and reviewed the agenda and prior meeting notes.
General Discussion / Summarized Notes & Highlights:
Mark Rohloff provided an updated matrix with options, pros & cons
Matt Mugerauer referred to the matrix / comparison of alternatives to special
assessment
Matt L. suggested a temperature check - Is there one that we can take off of the table?
Matt M. asked the question: Do you have an interest in replacing the current special
assessment policy?
o Consensus of the group was yes a change is desired
o Replace Special Assessments with taxes: Not desirable
General discussion of options generated the following comments (summarized):
Sales Tax / Premier Resort Area Tax
o Special legislation is required
o Long lead time to approve
o Primary Benefit visitors would also pay
o Communities with Premier Resort Tax not similar to Oshkosh:
The Village of Sister Bay: 0.5% (effective July 1, 2018)
The City of Rhinelander: 0.5%
The Village of Stockholm: 0.5%
The City of Eagle River: 0.5%
The City of Bayfield: 0.5%
The City of Wisconsin Dells: 1.25%
The Village of Lake Delton: 1.25%
Outagamie County tax begins January 1, 2020
https://www.revenue.wi.gov/DOR%20Publications/pb403.pdf
https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/pcs-premier.aspx
o County sales tax Oshkosh may not get full share of proceeds
Vehicle Registration Fee
o Simplicity of approval and administration is key advantage
o High rate ($65.00 per vehicle) to produce $3.25 million
o Fairness / equity issue due to exemption for large vehicles
o Large traffic generators do not necessarily pay
Transportation Fee
o Already rejected by Council
o Alternative parcel fee may be more politically acceptable/simpler
o Basis for alternatively parcel fee is difficult to justify
o Traffic base fee more defensible (see Milwaukee study)
o Chamber still questions legal basis for a fee (see City Attorneys memo)
Outstanding Issues:
o Sidewalks - should we included in any option (cost $800,000)
o How do we educate people?
o The original ordinance failed - why?
o Can we make a hybrid of fees / taxes?
o Should there be a cap with any fee?
Information the committee would like to know/have at the next meeting:
How much would it cost to eliminate all assessments (rough estimate of all)
Confirm numbers for potential sales tax
Send minutes before next meeting
Next Meeting: December 4, 2019
3:00 PM
Room 404 City Hall
The meeting was adjourned at 4:45 PM.