Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Cautiously Optimistic About Shared Revenue

Monday, January 30th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser said he's cautiously optimistic about Governor Tony Evers' plan to distribute more shared revenue in the next two-year budget, which could involve reserving one percent of the state's sales tax revenue for distribution to counties and municipalities.

"I think that one percent is good use as long as it doesn't raise taxes on the otherside somewhere else."

He says for now he feels the best use of it would be on projects, and not on taking on an ongoing expense. "I don't know if it's going to be here in 3, 4, 5, years, so you really don't want to try to use much for creating a new position. I think we put it into our regular operating and if means a little less taxes or a little less borrowing for our tax payers in the community, that would be a good use for it at this time."

He does caution against using the money for an ongoing expense, such as the salary for a new employee. "Because if it's not here in a handful of years, how are you going to fund what you're using that money for?"

Blaser says he estimates the city could get an extra 140 thousand dollars as part of the share, but it remains to be seen what kind of formula the governor and Republican-controlled legislature will use to divvy up the dollars.

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