Extra Vocabulary
Definition: Allows cities and villages to decide how to manage their own affairs, unless the state constitution prohibits it.
Home Rule
How much does a city tax a homeowner per $1000 of value of their home?
A city taxes homeowners $11.97 per $1000 of value of their home.
What does the city or village budget outline?
It outlines the services to be provided and their projected cost for the coming year. It also shows how much income is expected during the year.
What is a representative government?
A form of democracy in which elected people represent the larger citizenry.
What are the two ways a city or village can grow?
One way is called annexation, the process by which part of an adjoining town is added to a city or village. Another way is called consolidation, the process by which two or more adjoining units of government merge together.
Definition: Legislation enacted by a municipal unit of government
Ordinance
In 2017, what city in Wisconsin had a fifty-one million dollar budget?
Wisconsin Rapids had a fifty-one million dollar budget, that went to help the 215 employees.
What does state law require when it comes to the public hearing on the budget in a city or village?
That there must be a public hearing going over the city or village budget, allowing any resident or taxpayer to provide comments on the budget. However, the law does not guarantee you can speak. Rather, it guarantees a forum where you can have input. While also the place and time of the hearing must be publicized in advance.
What is a city or village created from? What is the new unit (city or village) called?
They are created from an area in a town and the new unit is called municipal corporation.
What are the requirements needed for annexation and consolidation?
1. Annexation: File an petition with the municipality, then get approval by city council or village board, then area transfers to city or village if approved. The area's residents become city or village residents and can vote and have to pay taxes.
2. Consolidation: Requires 2/3 vote from each governing body and approval from majority of the residents. A consolidation requiring a town must be approved by circuit court and the DOA.Definition: The elected governing body of a city
Common Council
What is the equation that calculates how much a homeowners pays for property tax?
$.01197 × $100,000 in value
What is the process a city or village takes when figuring out how much money needs to be raised to cover expenses?
First, they estimate the income expected from sources such as fees, federal and state aids, and other small revenue sources. Then this amount is then subtracted from the costs and the remaining cost is financed by property taxes.
What is a town more considered, what does it provide, and what is set by the state even though residents are able to vote?
Towns are more like a subdivision of the state that provides local government services. While town residents can vote at town meetings, the structure of the town, its officials, and some services are set by the state.
What governing body governs a city and village? How are they elected? Are cities and villages divided when it comes to electing people in their governing body?
A village is governed by a board of trustees, they are chosen by the village as a whole, in which serve two years. Usually there are two to six trustees in a village, in which it depends on the population.
A city is governed by a common council, they are elected on a nonpartisan basis and, in most cases, serve two-year terms. In which, cities are divided into districts, and citizens vote only for the aldermanic candidates running in the district where they live.
Definition: A form of democracy in which elected people represent the larger citizenry
Representative Government
Why are property taxes important to a city or state. Is it benefiting anything in a city or location?
They are important because it benefit the 215 full time employees in that location. Without property taxes or other taxes, those 215 wouldn't be getting paid what they get paid now. All the tax money is getting shared out throughout.
What is property tax levy? Why is it important to a city or village?
It is the amount of money raised through the property tax to finance local government services.
It is important because property tax levy is the revenue source of last resort. It is used to balance local revenues and expenditures
Who runs a city or village and what do they represent and handle?
Cities and villages are run by councils or boards elected to represent voters wishes and to handle government business on their behalf.
If all or part of a town want to incorporate as a village or city what is the procedure that needs to be done or taken?
First, the people who wish to incorporate must get a specific number of supporting signatures from voters and property owners in the area. Then, the plan must be approved by the circuit court and the Wisconsin Department of Administration. Finally, the residents of the area vote on whether to incorporate.
Definition: The process by which part of an adjoining town is added to a city or village
Annexation
What are the three major full time jobs tax payers fund?
1. A full-time mayor, city attorney, clerk, and treasurer
2. A full-time police department with a staff of 41
3. A full-time fire department with a staff of 36
Who pays property taxes, what is a property tax bill and what does a property tax bill go towards?
Property taxes are paid by owners of land, homes, farms, businesses, and factories. It is The amount charged to each property owner by taxing authorities. They money goes towards municipality, county, public school district, technical college, etc.
What are cities and villages granted from the Wisconsin Constitution?
They are granted broad authority under the Wisconsin Constitution to govern themselves without state interference.
What is home rule? What is a mayor granted in a "weak" and "strong" system through home rule?
It allows cities and villages to decide how to manage their own affairs, unless that state constitution prohibits it.
In a "weak" system a mayor has to share power with other elected officers, various boards, commissions, and independent officials.
In a "strong" system a mayor the power to appoint department heads, supervise government services, and prepare budget.