HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.11.22 Newsletter
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
DATE: February 11, 2022
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. REPORT DEMONSTRATES HOW STATE SHORTS CITIES: Earlier this week, the
Wisconsin Public Policy published a report entitled, “Could Surplus Help Improve State-
Local Relations?” The report details the significant projected surplus that the State of
Wisconsin will receive over the next two years as a result of recent fiscal reforms and the
improved collections of state income tax.
The report notes that legislative leaders and the governor have been putting forward their
own ideas for responding to the project surplus. The report also states that there is another
option that should be considered, that is, to use a portion of the funds to help address
financial challenges faced by municipal governments throughout Wisconsin.
As the report shows, now is the
best time to address Wisconsin’s
broken system for funding local
government. As Finance
Director Van Gompel has noted
and informed the City Council,
the “Shared Revenue” from the
state has been frozen at the same
amount for the past ten years.
The report also notes that while state income tax collections have more than tripled the early
1990’s, appropriations for the shared revenue program have declined. If inflation is taken
into account, the disparity becomes more striking. If the appropriation for shared revenue
had grown just at the pace of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), it would be more than double
what the appropriation is today.
8,500,000
9,000,000
9,500,000
10,000,000
10,500,000
11,000,000
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016201720182019 2020 2021
Oshkosh Historical Shared Revenue
For the City of Oshkosh, if Shared
Revenue had been increased by the CPI
since 1993, our Shared Revenue payment
($9,609,400) would have doubled
between 1993 and 2022. That additional
fair share would have reduced the city of
Oshkosh tax levy (currently $43.9
million) by nearly 22%. The report also
notes the fiscal pressures that levy limits
cause in providing the core services like
public safety, public works, parks, and
cultural services.
The report concludes that after more than a decade of struggling with a combination of tight
levy limits and stagnant state aids, it is questionable whether many local governments will
be able to stave off service cuts without some relief from the state. Please contact Finance
Director Van Gompel with any questions. You can read the full article by following the link
below:
https://wispolicyforum.org/research/could-surplus-help-improve-state-local-relations/
2. SAVE THE DATE FOR FIRE RECOGNITION DINNER: The Oshkosh Fire Department
is holding a recognition dinner on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 5:30pm-9:00pm at the Best
Western Hotel Ballroom. The recognition dinner is funded by Country Financial
Representative Philip Karsnia. During the dinner, awards will be presented to those chosen
through a nomination process.
3. CALLING ALL POETS: Would you like to share your poetry with a wider audience?
Oshkosh Public Library, in partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement District,
is calling for submissions for its April Poetry Walk. A curated selection of original poetry
from local writers will be selected and displayed in storefront windows along Main Street
from April 1 - 30. All ages are encouraged to apply. Submissions will be accepted February
14-28. Entry information is at https://bit.ly/3szlIOA.
4. WRITING CONTEST OPEN: The 2022 Lakefly Writing Contests are also open for
submissions. Enter your poetry, short story, or personal essay for an opportunity to win a
cash prize and the title of award-winning writer! This year’s theme is “Into the Unknown.”
Entries must be time stamped by midnight, March 5. Winners will be honored at an awards
ceremony during the Lakefly Writers Conference, which is May 6-7 at the Oshkosh Premier
Waterfront Hotel and Convention Center. Details about eligibility, entry and prizes is at
https://bit.ly/3H7Al1N.
5. OPL AUTHOR VISIT: Award-winning author Rick Chrustowksi will visit the library on
February 19 to talk about his experience creating colorful, dynamic children's books. His
fun, interactive presentation is sure to capture your kids' imaginations and keep the entire
family engaged. Registration is required. For more details visit: https://bit.ly/3AZsyAS.
6. ATTACHMENTS AND LINKS:
Attached - The weekly Museum Board memo
Link to OFD’s latest issue of Hot Topics:
https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/Fire/Resources/HotTopics/Hot_Topics_February_202
2.pdf
Save the date and get the details! Follow the link for information about the 2022
State of the City event: https://youtu.be/nTRnWs6cxvc
7. MINUTES FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: All meeting minutes are uploaded to
the website upon approval. Please follow the link below for the most updated information
& meeting minutes: https://onboard.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/.
8. COVID-19 RESOURCE LINKS AND INFORMATION:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/
Wisconsin Department of Health Services:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/
Winnebago County Public Health Department:
https://www.co.winnebago.wi.us/health/divisions-program-areas/communicable-
disease/covid-19-coronavirus/wchd-covid-19-situation
9. LOOKING AHEAD: Among the meetings I currently have scheduled for the week of
February 14 include the following: On Monday at 10:00 AM I will be meeting with
Community Development Director Kelly Nieforth. At 4:30 PM Mayor Palmeri and I are
meeting with local UAW representatives to discuss their initiative to change Oshkosh
Corporation’s decision to locate their new USPS truck facility in South Carolina. On
Tuesday at 8:00 AM I am meeting with Fire Chief Stanley to discuss OFD initiatives. At 10:00
AM I will be meeting with staff to discuss Transit Center updates. On Friday at 10:00 AM I
am attending a virtual meeting with local stakeholders to discuss workforce transportation.
If you have any questions about my schedule, please contact me.