HomeMy WebLinkAbout29. 18-374 JULY 10, 2018 18-374 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED 5-1 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN )
AS AMENDED
PURPOSE: SUPPORT LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN MUNICIPALITIES EFFORTS
TO REFORM COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT IN
THE AMOUNT OF $10,000
INITIATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS,the City of Oshkosh adopted a resolution in 2016 to support legislative
efforts to reform commercial property tax assessment; and
WHEREAS, litigation by national retail chains and other commercial property
owners relying upon what is known as the "Dark Store Theory' has resulted in the
valuation of those properties being significantly reduced; and
WHEREAS, this theory ignores long established principles of tax valuation and
results in an unfair shifting of the property tax burden to home owners who already pay
70% of the total statewide property tax levy in Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities ("the League") has made it a
legislative priority to reform laws as they relate to commercial property tax assessment
to address the "Dark Store Theory" and the negative impacts of the Walgreens vs. City of
Madison case that has caused a shift in property tax values from large commercial
properties to residential and small business properties; and
WHEREAS, the city of Oshkosh has been a leader among cities in the state of
Wisconsin to reform commercial property tax assessment laws due to the city's direct
impact from the Walgreens case; and
WHEREAS, the League has asked that the city of Oshkosh be a leader in the
League's fund raising efforts to conduct a public information campaign to reform
commercial property tax assessment laws by making a pledge up to $10,000 to the
League's campaign.
JULY 10, 2018 18-374 RESOLUTION
CONT'D
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh, that in the interest of taxpayer fairness, the City of Oshkosh does hereby pledge
and direct staff to provide up to $10,000 in financial support to the League of Wisconsin
Municipalities' public information campaign for commercial property tax assessment
reform.
*BOLD &ITALICS INDICATE AMENDMENT