Sincerely,
Helene Nelson
Secretary
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
April 29, 2004
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed a best practices review of local government operations, as directed by s.
13.94(8), Wis. Stats. This report describes the extent to which local governments in Wisconsin have implemented user fees to fund the cost of providing services.
Local governments have broad authority to implement user fees for the services they provide. In 2001, user fees totaled $2.6 billion and were 21.1 percent of local governments' $12.5 billion in total revenue.
The Blue-Ribbon Commission on State-Local Partnerships for the 21st Century, commonly known as the Kettl Commission, suggested that local governments can help control property taxes by charging users some fees for services. In responding to a survey we conducted, 117 local governments indicated they imposed one or more new fees in the last three years, and 95 local governments indicated they planned to implement new fees within the next three years.
Survey respondents identified over 500 different types of user fees. Our report highlights best practices for local governments to consider when establishing the types and amounts of fees and when administering them. Detailed information on fee types and ranges is provided in the appendices.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Revenue and the many Wisconsin local government officials who responded to our survey.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
State of Wisconsin
Ethics Board
May 4, 2004
The Honorable, The Senate:
The following lobbyists have been authorized to act on behalf of the organizations set opposite their names.
For more detailed information about these lobbyists and organizations and a complete list of organizations and people authorized to lobby the 2003 session of the legislature, visit the Ethics Board's web site at
http://ethics.state.wi.us
Kapocius, Mike Takeda Pharmaceuticals America
McGinley, Randy Berlex
Roys, Kelda Helen NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin
Turner, Michael Wisconsin Fertilizer & Chemical Association
Also available from the Wisconsin Ethics Board are reports identifying the amount and value of time state agencies have spent to affect legislative action and reports of expenditures for lobbying activities filed by organizations that employ lobbyists.
Sincerely,
R. Roth Judd
Director
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 23, 2004
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Scott
, Karen,
of Madison, as a member of the Real Estate Appraisers Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2006.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Economic Development, Job Creation and Housing.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 23, 2004
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Lease
, Mary K.,
of Oregon, as a member of the Nursing Home Administrator Examining Board, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2007.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
April 26, 2004
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Frank
, Matthew J.,
of Madison, as a member of the Prison Industries Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2008.
Sincerely,
JIM DOYLE
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Judiciary, Corrections and Privacy.
__________________
Relating to fertilizer tonnage fees and surcharges.
Submitted by Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Report received from Agency, April 29, 2004.
Referred to committee on Agriculture, Financial Institutions and Insurance, May 5, 2004
.
__________________
The committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care reports and recommends:
Relating to the practical examination, NAPLEX and the multi-state pharmacy jurisprudence examination.
No action taken.
Carol Roessler
Chairperson
The committee on Labor, Small Business Development and Consumer Affairs reports and recommends:
Relating to worker's compensation.
No action taken.
Thomas Reynolds
Chairperson
The committee on Transportation and Information Infrastructure reports and recommends:
Relating to titling and registration of homemade, reconstructed, or repaired salvage vehicles.
No action taken.
Joseph Leibham
Chairperson
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Revisor of Statutes Bureau
May 1, 2004
To the Honorable, the Senate:
The following rules have been published:
Sincerely,
GARY L. POULSON
Deputy Revisor
