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Referral of Agency Reports
State of Wisconsin
Department of Revenue
Madison
September 17, 2001
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
The use-value assessment law, enacted in
1995 Act 27, specified duties of the Farmland Advisory Council and required the Council to report to the Legislature on the usefulness of use-value assessment as a way to preserve farmland and to reduce the conversion of farmland to other uses. At that time, Wisconsin became the 49th State to institute some form of use-value assessment of agricultural land.
Section
73.03(49)(a), Wis. Stats., requires the Farmland Advisory Council (the Council) to advise the Department of Revenue on the supplement to the Wisconsin Property Assessment Manual (WPAM) guidelines for assessing agricultural land, and on rules to implement use-value assessment of agricultural land and to reduce urban sprawl. The Council has met annually to review and adopt use-value guidelines and these are published in the WPAM for use by assessors and land owners. The guidelines for the 2001 assessment year are attached for your reference. The Council has also worked with the Department to develop information for inclusion in the WPAM regarding classification of land as agricultural land. Most recently, the Council and Department have been working on use-value guidelines for pasture and for specialty crops. The chapter of the WPAM on assessment of agricultural land is also attached for reference.
The Council has worked closely with the agricultural community and the Department in developing administrative rules to govern use-value assessments. These rules are now in place and, based on numbers of inquiries received by the Department of Revenue, appear to be working well.
Section 73.03(49)(b), repealed in 1999, required the Council to recommend an appropriate penalty for converting agricultural land to another use to discourage urban sprawl. The Council worked with the Legislature, agricultural organizations and other interested parties to devise a more effective penalty than the penalty in the original law. The penalty provisions were amended in
1999 Act 9. However, concerns about the penalty continue to be expressed and, therefore, the Council has asked the Department of Revenue to monitor the issue.
Section
73.03(49)(c) directs the Council to report on the usefulness of use-value as a way to preserve farmland. In principle, use-value assessment keeps farmland in production by reducing property taxes which equates to a reduction of a significant cost of agricultural production.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Wisconsin Agricultural Statistics Service, farmland was converted to other uses at an average rate of 36,450 acres per year from 1992 to 1995. Since use-value has been in place, the loss of farmland has slowed to an average of 29,930 acres per year. This 18 percent decrease is especially noteworthy in light of the strong economy Wisconsin experienced during the late 1990's - the first years under use-value assessment.
Additional evidence is provided in a March 2000 study by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, led by Douglas Jackson-Smith, for the "Wisconsin Farm Research Summary". A significant finding of Mr. Jackson-Smith's poll of farmers regarding use-value assessment of agricultural land is that use-value assessment is the only policy change that has had a positive impact on the majority of farmers.
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The Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Division of State and Local Finance, will conduct an independent analysis in 2002 to develop additional information regarding the effects of use-value assessment on urban sprawl and other impacts of the program.
Section
73.03(49)(d) requires the Council to recommend adjustments to the shared revenue formula and other formulae to accommodate adverse effects use-value may have on local governments. Until use-value assessment was fully implemented for calendar year 2000 assessments, there were no significant impacts on the various formulae. With use-value assessment now fully implemented, the Council will begin to accumulate data and with the assistance of the Department of Revenue, Division of State and Local Finance, issue a report with recommendations in 2002. Since the value of agricultural land comprises a very small percentage of total property value - agricultural land accounted for only 1.8 per cent of the total statewide equalized value in 2000 - the impact of use value assessment is expected to be minimal in most areas of the state.
In summary, use-value assessment is working as intended. It is providing farmers with tax relief which is sorely needed due to the current state of the agricultural economy.
Sincerely,
Richard G. Chandler
Chair, Farmland Advisory Council
Secretary of Revenue
Referred to committee on Agriculture.
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University of Wisconsin
Hospital and Clinics
Madison
September 28, 2001
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
I am pleased to submit to the Wisconsin Legislature the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority Annual Report, as required by Chapter
233 Wisconsin Statutes. Our 2000-2001 fiscal year highlights include achieving our financial goals, increased collaboration among the UW Health partners, and development of a five-year Strategic Plan.
Though challenged by staffing shortages, rising costs and reduced reimbursements, UWHC Administration has developed a sound strategy to address today's needs while preparing us for the future. We are confident that we will continue to serve our mission of patient care, education, research and community service, as well as retain our reputation as one of the best hospitals in the country.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Legislature for the confidence they have shown in our institution by authorizing the continuation of our affiliation agreement with the University of Wisconsin for the next five years. If you have any questions about our Annual Report or would like additional information please contact me at 263-8025.
Sincerely,
Donna K. Sollenberger
President and Chief Executive Officer
Referred to committee on Health.
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State of Wisconsin
Department of Veterans Affairs
Madison
September 28, 2001
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
In compliance with section 45.35 (3d)(b), Wis. Stats., as created by
1989 Wisconsin Act 36, the Council of Veterans Programs and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) are jointly submitting the attached general summary report of the activities and membership over the past two years of the Council and the organizations represented on the Council.
Organizations not yet reporting are the American Legion, AMVETS, American Red Cross, Army-Navy Union, Federation for Culturally Diverse Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, National Association for Black Veterans and the Navy Club of USA.
The information contained in the report was compiled by WDVA staff and the Council Chair from materials submitted by the representative from each organization on the Council.
Sincerely,
William Kloster
Executive Assistant
Referred to committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.
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Supreme Court of Wisconsin
Director of State Courts
Madison
October 1, 2001
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Pursuant to s.
758.19 (5)(i), Wis Stats., the information reported to the Director of State Courts under ss.
758.19 (5)(e) and
758.19 (6)(d), Wis. Stats., by Wisconsin's counties has been compiled and is herein submitted. Under ss.
758.19 (5)(e) and
758.19 (6)(d), Wis. Stats., each county is required to submit an annual report to the Director of State Courts which provides information on the actual amount expended in the previous calendar year for court costs relating to the circuit court support and the guardian ad litem payment programs.
Sincerely,
J. Denis Moran
Director of State Courts
Referred to committee on Children and Families.
State of Wisconsin
Department of Transportation
Department of Corrections
Department of Health and Family Services
Madison
October 1, 2001
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
Pursuant to
1999 Wisconsin Act 109, Section
88, the Department of Transportation, Corrections, and Health and Family Services were required to "jointly study and evaluate the desirability of using treatment programs and other alternatives to incarceration as a way to reduce the length of incarceration or the need for incarceration of persons convicted of a second or subsequent violation of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant, controlled substance or other drug."
The Act further indicated that the results of this study be reported to the Legislature no later than October 1, 2001 under sec. 13.172 (3), Wis. Stats.
Our respective departments commissioned this study to be conducted by the Dieringer Research Group, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their study report, "Alternatives to Incarceration for Repeat Drunk Driving," is enclosed.
The opinions, findings and recommendations expressed in the enclosed report are those of The Dieringer Research Group and are not necessarily those of the Departments that sponsored this research.
Sincerely,
Terry Mulcahy, P.E.
Secretary, Department of Transportation
Jon Litscher
Secretary, Department of Corrections
Phyllis Dube
Secretary, Department of Health and Family Services
Referred to committee on Highway Safety.
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Representative Bock asked uanimous consent for a leave of absence for part of today's session for Representative Williams. Granted.
Assembly Joint Resolution 59
Relating to: proclaiming September 11th of each year as a State Day of Remembrance.
The question was: Shall Assembly Joint Resolution
59 be adopted?
Motion carried.
Representative Black asked unanimous consent that all members of the Assembly be made coauthors of Assembly Joint Resolution 59. Granted.
Representative Foti asked unanimous consent that the rules be suspended and that Assembly Joint Resolution 59 be immediately messaged to the Senate. Granted.
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Special Guest
Speaker Jensen introduced special guests seated in the galleries for today's session:
Lieutenant Mike Dibble, Firefighter Paul Komarck, Firefighter Matt Schwister, Firefighter John Clark and Apparatus Engineer Doug Freese from the Madison Fire Department.
Chief Lawrence A. Gardner, Firefighter Leonard J. Schaefer, Deputy Chief Douglas A. Holton, Fire Lieutenant James A. Hardy and Administrative Lieutenant Deborah A. Karner from the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Sergeant Michael Hartert, Officer David Droster, Officer Gregg Duran, Officer Kristen Felsman and Officer Clarence Pratt from the Milwaukee Police Department.
