Local Wisconsin governments get first shared revenue payments

(The Center Square) – Local governments across Wisconsin got their first billion-dollars from the state’s shared revenue plan after Gov. Tony Evers’ office recently announced the payment.

“This distribution marks a significant milestone as it includes the new supplemental county and municipal aid established under 2023 Wisconsin Act 12, which is specifically allocated to support essential services such as law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency response communications, public works, courts, and transportation,” the governor’s office said in a statement.

In all, cities, towns, and counties will get more than $1.5 billion from the state.

Most of the money, $940 million, will come in the form of Wisconsin’s school levy tax credit. But there will also be $148 million in first dollar credits, and another $112 million in county-municipal aid.

“After more than a decade of this funding being cut or held flat, it was long overdue for the state to do its part to meaningfully support local communities, and I’m thrilled these funds will be going out the door to help municipalities support essential community services like fire and EMS, fixing local roads, cleaning up PFAS, and more,” Evers said in a statement.

Republican lawmakers and the governor came to terms on the shared revenue deal last year. Republicans agreed to the new spending plan specifically to help local governments find more money for things like police, fire and EMS services.

The same deal allowed Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to raise their sales taxes. Milwaukee County, so far, says those sales tax dollars are less than what they expected.

Milwaukee County’s comptroller last week said sale tax receipts are $2.7 million less than what was projected for the year so far.

That sales tax gap is driving what Milwaukee County leaders expect to be a $19 million deficit heading into next year.

Some county leaders are looking to the state to help make-up that gap.