Bain-Blog

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Sales tax

Winnebago County Executive Mark Harris presented last night a proposal to the County Board regarding a half-percent (1/2%) county sales tax. Mr. Harris has paid for out of his own pocket a website that contains detailed information regarding how the sales tax revenue would retain "essential personnel" within the county, impact Winnebago County property taxpayers (you can estimate how much you could see in property tax relief) and benefit local municipalities (the city of Oshkosh could see +/- $300,000 in revenue paid for by non-residents of Winnebago County).

I feel it's important for the city to stay abreast of what the County Board does with the sales tax. It's my hope that if they approve it, they approve it as proposed - keep the direct property tax relief and additional revenue to local municipalities.

I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on the proposal.

-Bryan

posted by Bryan L. Bain at 9/27/2006 09:54:00 AM

51 Comments:

  • Just who are the "key personnel" and why do they justify an $800,000.00 expenditure?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 27, 2006 11:01 AM  

  • I think this is the BEST option that has been presented.
    If it does indeed go for Property Tax relief.
    It gives the County and City the extra dollars that each needs.
    Monies coming from a larger base other than just through property taxes.
    YES Let's get behind this option!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 27, 2006 12:02 PM  

  • Anonymous 11:01-
    I talked with Mr. Harris a couple of days ago and suggested he identify the "key personnel" the county is looking to retain. He said he would be putting this information on his website. I hope that helps.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at September 27, 2006 3:38 PM  

  • The law states a sales tax can only be used to reduce property taxes. Mr. Harris has other uses for his sales tax. I question if the $800,000.00 used for personnel is legal. The courts will have the final say on this one. Remember, the opinion by AG Doyle was before the levy freeze. The playing field has changed since that opinion.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 27, 2006 5:16 PM  

  • Thanks for that info Bryan.

    I just checked Mr. Harris' website, and there is nothing specifically listing how or who that $800,000.00 is spent on.

    Mr. Harris still has some explaining to do it appears.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 27, 2006 8:01 PM  

  • In the end the board makes the decision not Mr. Harris. The same board who thumbed there noses at the tax payers and voters and reduced themselves from 38 to 36 to stop the tax payers from having a say in the matter. And you thought the city had problems!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at September 27, 2006 8:20 PM  

  • Regarding negotiations…our city negotiation team better get some balls and hold the city union’s hands to the fire. The average taxpayer in Oshkosh can’t continue to pay for the gold plated benefit package given to city workers.

    If you look at what’s happening in the healthcare area, there is no way we can continue to ask Oshkosh middleclass taxpayers to fund 95-96% of city workers healthcare premiums. That type of employer/employee funding ratio is totally out-of-line with what is happening in the private sector.

    If Oshkosh Truck employees would have demanded a similar plan, they would be walking the line right now because Truck would not have even entertained that type of benefit request.

    It has to stop here and it has to stop now.

    This is totally about public unions placing unrealistic demands on the taxpayers who fund their jobs and lifestyle. If the union doesn’t become more realistic in their benefit requests, I say let the layoffs begin.

    You have to draw a line in the sand sometime and now is the time for Oshkosh.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 02, 2006 10:33 AM  

  • Yes Kent,

    Would you care to disclose what kind of benefit package you have as a government inspector??

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 02, 2006 3:38 PM  

  • City union members may be part of the middleclass, but the increases in wages and benefits are not borne by some greedy bloated CEO...they are borne by the other average hardworking tax payers in Oshkosh.

    Yes, city employees may pay city property tax IF they live within the confines of Oshkosh, but any increase to property taxes that are used for increases in wages and benefits have a direct bottom-line benefit to them, not other thousands of hard working middleclass Oshkosh tax payers.

    When city employees demand more compensation, they demand that their neighobors and friends pay more property taxes.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 03, 2006 7:01 AM  

  • Am I the only one that feels this way? Is it time for a change, not only on a local level (City Common Council) but also on a national level (Both Houses of Congress)

    When the Republican Party continues to promote the fact that they as a united party are the party of “Family Values” but yet we hear news such as the Mark Foley scandal. When conservative pundit Ann Coulter is asked about her opinion on the matter she comments she would be flattered if someone would send suggestive e-mails to her...all this is just wrong!

    I believe the root problem here is that “Family Values” although important to anyone when questioned, is just a way to appease the average middleclass taxpayer.

    The Republican Party is all about greed, corporate excess and the “I got mine” concept. The truth is that the current Republican Party is nothing like the old Republican Party I recall. They are spend, spend, spend. Many are more inclined to represent special interests rather than their constituents. They seem to have the ear of any lobbyist with a fat wallet of money.

    I will certainly re-consider my past voting selections and am likely to alter my future candidate selections. I think the mess we find ourselves in is directly related to a system with few checks and balances. It is clear to me that the Country has not going in the right direction with Republicans controlling the White House and Congress. There needs to be a balance restored and I will be casting my votes this upcoming election to restore a balance within our government.

    I certainly hope that the Democrats are able to gain a majority of seats to be able to counter the gigantic slide our nation is currently taking.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 04, 2006 9:11 AM  

  • If the union doesn’t become more realistic in their benefit requests

    OH REALLY??

    IF you have not sat in on the negotiations or gone to a union meeting; you have absolutly NO idea
    what the union requests are. You can't conclude the requests are unrealistic.

    Until you have such information
    your comments are premature and only serve 1 purpose; political ambitions.

    POLICITCAL AMBITIONS would also account for the personal attacks allowed on this and other blogs.
    We really have a problem when potential city leaders have to bash others to made himself/herself
    look good. Politicians at their finest. WE NEED LEADERS NOT CHILDREN PLAYING GAMES!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 04, 2006 11:13 AM  

  • This level of tax payer funded medical coverage is unacceptable and unrealistic in todays ecomomic climate:


    Oshkosh City Employee Union
    Local 796 - AFSCME, AFL-CIO
    Rates Effective Pay Period 1, 2006

    Medical Benefits:

    Employee contributions for PPO

    Effective January 1, 2006 employees will contribute 5% up to a maximum of $30 per month toward single; $45 per month towards dual and $55 per month towards a family premium equivalent.

    Employee contributions for EPO

    Effective January 1, 2006 employees will contribute 4% up to a maximum of $20 per month toward single; $40 per month towards dual and $50 per month towards a family premium equivalent.

    "You have to draw a line in the sand sometime and now is the time for Oshkosh."





    We need a Mayor, City Manager and full Council body that places the taxpayer FIRST.

    FIRST before hired employees both union and non-union.

    FIRST before special interest groups.



    I believe the bottom line for most citizens are these key points:

    1) Don’t place a fee structure on standard city services.

    2) Don’t apply additional property taxes until ALL meaningful cuts, reductions and reorganization have truly occurred.

    3) Get union contracts under control.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 04, 2006 11:59 AM  

  • The Republican Party of today is filled with greed, corruption, scandal and a total obsession on wealth re-distribution.

    The Republican Party of today is bent on re-distributing the wealth obtained by those in the middleclass and moving that money upwards to the wealthy elite.

    The ideal ecomomic class structure resulting in this effort would create a wealthy ruling class, and a labor class, of modest working poor.

    This is the goal of the Republican Party of today. They only play the Religious, Family Values, Right to Bear Arms cards as a way to lure the average middleclass to vote for the candidate of their choosing.

    Time for a change. Vote anything but Republican in the upcoming November election.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 04, 2006 2:22 PM  

  • The wages and benefits paid to our city union labor are outrageous.

    94-95% taxpayer funded healthcare is nothing less than obscene!

    I believe both ends of society, Corporate CEO’s and union labor are putting stress on most middleclass lifestyles.

    There was a time when unions were the value and comfort to the middleclass. Now as is mentioned many times, the only unions that are able to sustain any true viability are those is the public sector. The unions in the public sector prey upon taxpayers to further themselves. The average taxpayer in Oshkosh can simply no longer afford the extravagant benefit demands made by the city unions.

    The time to say “enough-is-enough” is NOW! No new taxes or fees.
    Make the cuts to personnel and services rather than cave in to further wage and benefit demands.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 08, 2006 9:37 AM  

  • I love how people talk big about cutting personnel but already complain when the police do not respond quickly enough (in their view) when their lawn ornaments are stolen.

    Perhaps the group would prefer for the firefighters to respond from their homes as township firefighters do. That would save some money!

    Those darn employees make too much money or their benefits are too good! blah blah blah. You don't see our city employees on picket lines. They do their jobs as they should. Give them a break already and stop whining.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 08, 2006 8:24 PM  

  • Oshkosh Property Taxpayers....

    Allowing the city bargaining units to maintain benefits such as the 94-95% taxpayer funded healthcare policy is NOT looking out for the best interests of the taxpayer.


    IN NOVEMBER, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTES THE FOLLOWING:

    I will not accept a fee for a standard city service such as garbage pick-up.
    If you agree with me, then vote YES on referendum question ONE.

    I will not accept added property tax fees to allow our city to continue to spend even more of my hard earned money when all waste cuts, reorganization and process improvements have not been made.
    If you agree with me, then vote NO on referendum question TWO.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 09, 2006 7:04 AM  

  • The wage and benefit issue is being completely overblown and many comments are masked with emotion.

    The equation is simply economics. It really has nothing to do if people do or do not “deserve” as raise; it is about the ability to finance the costs associated with an increase to compensation.

    In the business world, if pressures brought about by share-holder expectations are such that higher profits are demanded, the corporation must find a way to increase the profitability by producing more goods, selling at a higher margin, lowering expenses…or a combination of the three.

    The results of these pressures often affect labor wages and benefits. Labor compensation is held in check or rolled back. If labor does not agree to these accommodations, plants are closed or relocated to areas more friendly to corporations.

    City government is also and economic engine. The labor associated with performing work desired by city residents comes with a cost. If labor wants additional compensation the city must find a way to increase the tax levy funded by a larger tax base or requiring greater taxes from the existing base…or a combination of the two.

    Oshkosh property tax payers as a whole, clearly do not wish to pay more property taxes or fund common taxable services with user fees.

    Unless Oshkosh creates a greater tax base, additional wage and benefit increases by labor unions will be met with resistance by current property tax payers.

    At the current tax base, it appears Oshkosh can no longer support the high wages and benefits demanded by the represented labor unions.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 09, 2006 8:54 AM  

  • Ok…so here is some simple math with ballpark figures.

    If the lowest cost healthcare plan is a single and there are 2 options, this is how it computes:

    EPO = $700.00 per month
    Taxpayers fund 96% of cost.

    $700.00 x 96% = $672.00 per month

    If we have about 600 employees in Oshkosh, and they all would be taking the single only plan:

    $672.00 x 600 = $403,200.00 per month

    The yearly cost…

    $403,200.00 per month x 12 months = $4,838,400.00 yearly for the EPO option.


    Now the PPO option:

    PPO = $800.00 per month
    Taxpayers fund 95% of cost.

    $800.00 x 96% = $760.00 per month

    If we have about 600 employees in Oshkosh, and they all would be taking the single only plan:

    $760.00 x 600 = $456,000.00 per month

    $456,000.00 per month x 12 months = $5,472,000.00 yearly for the PPO option.

    So it is fairly safe to assume that taxpayers are paying well in excess of $5,000,000.00 each year JUST FOR CITY EMPLOYEES HEALTHCARE!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 12, 2006 1:11 PM  

  • Mr. Bain,

    It has been mentioned that the taxpayers of Oshkosh contribute in excess of $5,000,000.00 annually to JUST the healthcare benefit for city union employees.

    Could you please confirm that number and adjust as necessary if it is incorrect.

    Also, would you please provide the tax rate, and base it on a standard $100,000.00 home, to show exactly what just the healthcare cost impact is to the average Oshkosh taxpayer.

    Thank you.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 12, 2006 5:13 PM  

  • It appears many union employees are very concern and disturbed that information about their gold plated compensation package is being freely exchanged.

    Until we've had these blog sites, most of this information was not widely known.

    Now as the details filter out and are more clearly understood by many more people, the frustration that is pent up in taxpayers is coming out.

    Someone posted a challenge for any city union employee to list any other company that compensates 95% of their employee’s healthcare costs.

    I have not seen any replies to that posting.

    Having 95-96% of your healthcare paid by your employer these days is simply unheard of.

    The city union has a truly gold plated benefit package coupled with a average or in some cases above average pay scale.

    The labor compensation equation is partly the reason we are in the financial difficulties we find ourselves in.

    We can no longer afford the cost of our city union workers labor. If the city workers union does not agree to concessions, many tax payers like me say, lay them off. Cut services. Do whatever is necessary to get these labor costs under control.

    If we don't make moves to regain control on general labor costs now, we will be fighting this same problem year after year.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 13, 2006 6:57 AM  

  • Anonymous @ 5:13 p.m.-
    I've emailed the City Manager for the annual figure and will post it when I receive it.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 13, 2006 3:39 PM  

  • "Its not the city workers fault people are poor in Oshkosh."

    VOTE -

    #1) - YES
    #2) - YES

    Too bad if you can't afford more property taxes. The workers need a raise.

    If you don't like it, move to Appleton!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 14, 2006 3:23 PM  

  • I think we are getting the terminology confused here, being at work is not the same as working. Wages should be earned based upon the work city workers are physically doing and not just for being at work.

    When I see Oshkosh park employees throwing a football back and forth during work or how many times have we witnessed road crews, sometimes with their supervisors, standing around watching one other employee work, just to name a few, all on the tax payer dime, yes, it should and does toss kindling on the fire against the selfish greed of unions.

    City unions, in my opiniion, are getting the best of both worlds, for one, they live under a guaranteed gold plated contract and two, if they pay city taxes, they are basically existing in this community for free, (their employment, health & dental insurance, some licensing fees & furthering education, pay checks, etc), ., are all payed for by the taxpayers of Oshkosh, in otherwords, they may pay taxes, but in the end, it is returned back to them through their union contracts. What a deal!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 15, 2006 5:36 PM  

  • October 9, 2006, 8:54, made a comment stating: "City government is also and economic engine."

    The "City government" is not an economic engine, it is merely a conduit through which economic growth can be achieved, gained or maintained in this city.

    The city government does not supply the labor, funding or guarantee of any success for any economic venture, it does however, require paperwork, city reviews, permits, taxs, time, etc., and of course, the final say and approval.

    Therefore, the City Government is responsible for the success's and failures of this city through it's actions and inactions.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 15, 2006 5:53 PM  

  • Mr. Harris and his sales tax scheme is a joke. In this city these "tourists", as Mr. Harris refers to them, are mostly, year in and year out, the taxpaying citizens of Oshkosh.

    Mr. Harris and his fellow Board of nitwits do not represent the best interests of the county or this city. If he wants to impress me by displaying some real executive talent, maybe he could be the brain child of responsible sound economic growth, stability and improved living standards in this county, without costing the taxpayers one dime. Could this be a challenge that far exceeds his executive, educational or professional talents? The ball is in his court.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 15, 2006 6:13 PM  

  • 5:36 PM Quit your whining.
    If you don’t like it here in Oshkosh, then move.

    The union guys will get there raise because 4 people on the council will vote that they do. There is no way it wont happen. So who really cares what you think.

    If the guys are tossing the football around why does that effect you. You still get your trash picked up. Cops still come if you call and if you got a fire, a truck will be there really fast. So it really don’t matter what happens because you get what you need and the city guys get what they need with better raises and some more bennys.

    Quit your whining and just pay your taxes and be happy you get these services.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 16, 2006 7:14 AM  

  • City workers wages going up.
    At least 95% of city employees healtcare paid by taxpayers.

    Looks like city employees are doing fairly well compared to the rest of the "Middleclass"

    KEY POINTS:
    1) "Real median earnings of full-time working males fell nearly 2 percent last year, according to the Census Bureau"

    2) "The number of Americans without health coverage rose by 1.3 million last year, up to 46.6 million, according to the Census Bureau. What's worse, more than one in 10 American children are now uninsured. Fewer employers than ever are providing health care to their employees and those who are still lucky enough to receive employer-provided coverage are paying a much larger share: The Kaiser family foundation says the cost of family health insurance, in fact, is up 87 percent since 2000."



    By Lou Dobbs
    CNN
    NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Dow Jones Industrial Average has hit an all-time high and Wall Street firms are posting some of their best earnings ever. For the first time in our nation's history, the Forbes list of the 400 wealthiest Americans includes only billionaires. In fact, having only a billion dollars means you're not on the list. As a group, the Forbes 400 has a collective net worth of $1.25 trillion.
    So the rich are doing well. But how about the middle class?
    More Americans than ever are living in poverty, living without health care, paying more for housing and for the costs of our public education. And real wages are falling.
    Real median earnings of full-time working males fell nearly 2 percent last year, according to the Census Bureau, while the real wages of working women fell by 1.3 percent. Despite that, real median household income did manage to rise slightly last year, though that small gain was the first increase in household income since 1999.
    So what has been keeping our middle class afloat in the face of rapidly rising costs? American families have been living on, as well as in, their homes. More than one-third of homeowners are spending more than 30 percent of their income on the cost of housing, a level that pushes the edge of affordability. Nationwide median home values from 2000-2005 jumped 32 percent, and homeowners have been pulling equity out of their houses in order to keep up with escalating tuition bills, health care costs and energy costs.
    But not everyone is so lucky. The number of Americans without health coverage rose by 1.3 million last year, up to 46.6 million, according to the Census Bureau. What's worse, more than one in 10 American children are now uninsured. Fewer employers than ever are providing health care to their employees and those who are still lucky enough to receive employer-provided coverage are paying a much larger share: The Kaiser family foundation says the cost of family health insurance, in fact, is up 87 percent since 2000.
    The same holds true at the pharmacy. Prices for the most popular brand-name prescription drugs this year rose substantially higher than the annual inflation rate, as has been the case every year this decade. The AARP concluded prices for the top 193 drugs climbed 6.3 percent over the last 12 months ending in June 2006, while inflation went up 3.8 percent. Generic drugs, however, rose 0.4 percent over that period of time.
    The costs of higher education are also hurting middle-class families like never before. In this increasingly credentialed society, the total cost of tuition, fees, room and board at four-year public colleges and universities has ballooned 44 percent over the past four years. And the proportion of family income it takes to pay for college is growing for families everywhere. The biggest jump, according to the National Center for Higher Education, is in Ohio, where college costs now take 42 percent of the average family budget, up from 28 percent in the early 1990s.
    Our dependency on foreign oil is also hamstringing working men and women. Gasoline prices are back on the decline (for now), but many Americans this summer were shelling out double what they used to pay to drive their cars. And gas prices now, while lower than at their peak in August, are still about 60 percent higher than in January 2001.
    Perhaps one of our nation's leading business magazines would like to create something called a Forbes or Fortune 250 Million list, which would reveal the dire financial pressures that our public policies have produced for working men and women and their families. It's time for all of us to focus on that deep chasm we have allowed to open between the wealthiest Americans and the middle class and those who aspire to it.
    Otherwise, there will be 250 million casualties in what has become nothing less than class warfare.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 16, 2006 12:48 PM  

  • 7:14 PM - If my so-called "whining" is bothering you, then I imagine that your one of those folks that think standing idle and watching, while doing nothing to help improve the community you live in, is good for all citizens of Oshkosh, if this is true, then I suggest you just pay your taxes with a smile and shut up. I, on the other hand, will not stand by and watch while this city uses convicts, working for a dollar an hour, while their high paid union supervisers stand around doing nothing and sucking the living marrow from this city.

    Leave it to a real bone-head to say "If you don't like it here in Oshkosh, then move". I live here for the same reasons you do except one, unlike yourself, I am not willing think that unions are the only answer to this city's financial woes.

    Maybe it's time this city moves towards eliminating unions from its employment roles, not just because I want it that way, its because of these leeching unionized employees that have no respect for the hard working folks that pay their wages, raises, bonuses, health care, retirements, etc.

    Thank God, we still have 1st Amendment rights, even thought folks like yourself would probably want that taken away too.

    Oh, and smile, it's almost tax season.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 16, 2006 5:59 PM  

  • To 5:59.

    Yes it is almost tax season and for everydollar a city employee pays to there property tax they get it all back in pay and benefits.

    The Oshkosh Union workers run this town and they need more money to do the work they do. They work really really hard and should make more money no matter if you taxpayers get pissy about it or not.

    Raise property taxes so the union workers make more money is what I think.

    If you dont like it move someplace else.

    VOTE:
    YES
    YES

    To keep the union employees happy.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 17, 2006 7:13 AM  

  • Good morning Bryan,

    Just a follow-up on 2 questions posted quite some time ago on your website that still need to be answered.

    1) County sales 0.05% tax. More information regarding the $800,000.00 ear-marked to retain “key personnel”. Who are these key personnel and why do they deserve a share of this $800,000.00? No specifics are listed on the Mark Harris website.
    >>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<
    Bryan L. Bain said...
    Anonymous 11:01-
    I talked with Mr. Harris a couple of days ago and suggested he identify the "key personnel" the county is looking to retain. He said he would be putting this information on his website. I hope that helps.

    -Bryan



    2) Regarding city employee healthcare. Have you received a reply from our City Manager yet? I’m still waiting to see the exact cost of employee healthcare and the impact on property tax payers in terms of the $1,000 rate to homes.
    >>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
    Bryan L. Bain said...
    Anonymous @ 5:13 p.m.-
    I've emailed the City Manager for the annual figure and will post it when I receive it.

    -Bryan

    October 13, 2006 3:39 PM


    Looking forward to seeing more specific info.

    Thanks Bryan!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 17, 2006 9:40 AM  

  • Anonymous @ 9:40 a.m.-
    Mr. Wollangk is pulling together this information, however, Finance Director Ed Nokes is currently out of the country, so it's taking longer than expected. I will post the info as soon as I receive it.

    I did suggest to Mr. Harris that he identify on his website the "key personnel" and the dollar amount each municipality would receive. I'm not sure why he didn't update it.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 17, 2006 1:45 PM  

  • If you support even higher wages and greater benefits for the already overcompensated city union staff..

    VOTE:
    1- YES
    2- YES

    However, if you believe that $18.05 per hour as starting pay for a bus driver and 96% healthcare paid by your property taxes is ALREADY too much, join me and..

    VOTE:
    1- YES
    2- NO

    The city union workers have developed an entitlement attitude.

    We the taxpayers of Oshkosh do deserve good service, but are getting Chevy service for Cadillac taxes.

    Lets end the gravy-train now!

    VOTE - YES, NO and stand up for all Oshkosh taxpayers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 17, 2006 5:02 PM  

  • October 14, 2006 3:23 PM stated:

    "Its not the city workers fault people are poor in Oshkosh."

    "Too bad if you can't afford more property taxes. The workers need a raise."

    ***************************

    The above comments reflect just how union workers see the taxpayers of Oshkosh, as nothing more than a source of paycheck.

    Could it be any more obvious that the personal greed and downright disrespect of the unions towards taxpayers has gotten totally out of control.

    If there ever was a time to send a message to those union workers that feel they are more important than the honest taxpaying citizen of Oshkosh, it is now.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 17, 2006 7:09 PM  

  • The only way to send unions a message is through layoffs or hiring out for services such as parks and forestry.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 18, 2006 9:39 AM  

  • If you support even higher wages and greater benefits for already clearly overcompensated city union and administrative staff…

    VOTE:
    1- YES
    2- YES
    You’re YES – YES vote will allow the council to use the additional taxes, BEYOND THE STATE MANDATED MAXIMUM TAX, to even further improve city employee compensation packages and fund various other pet projects.

    However… if you believe that $18.05 per hour as starting pay for a bus driver, 96% taxpayer paid healthcare (paid by our property taxes) and city administrators compensation are ALREADY too much, join me and..

    VOTE:
    1- YES
    2- NO

    City workers have developed an entitlement attitude. They believe it is there RIGHT to have taxpayers pay 96% of there healthcare!

    We the taxpayers of Oshkosh do deserve good service, but are getting Chevy service for Cadillac taxes.

    City employment is a privilege, not a right!
    Let’s end the gravy-train now!
    Don’t agree to be TAXED BEYOND THE MAX.
    VOTE - YES, NO and stand up for all Oshkosh taxpayers!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 18, 2006 12:21 PM  

  • Mr. Sosnoski has the right idea. Direct legislation is the answer.

    Our hired city manager and city leadership team is not committed to addressing the union issue in this city.

    If the represented unions receive higher wages and benefits, that move also has a positive affect on city non-union administration employees. City supervisors and managers by definition must make more money than the subordinates that they supervise. Furthermore, the benefit structure offered to salaried staff must be in-line with what is provided to the represented union labor.

    All this leads to a system where the Fox is guarding the Chicken Coop!

    City administration is not motivated to negotiate HARD for reductions and freezes on compensation for city union staff, as that would ultimately also freeze their compensation!

    We as taxpayers have the opportunity to make the decision for ourselves.

    If you want higher taxes, that will undoubtedly result in greater wages and benefits for city staff and labor, you should vote YES – YES.

    If you feel that we are already living in one of the highest taxed states in the Union, and our current property tax is already a burden for you and your family, and you do not want to be taxed higher than state law allows vote YES – NO.

    We…the taxpayers have the opportunity to make this decision without any interference from either the city administration or city unions. We can make this happen for the Common Good of all Oshkosh Taxpayers.

    If you choose to vote YES – NO, if you need police help and call 911, a police officer will arrive to aid you.

    If you choose to vote YES – NO, and need medical attention or assistance from our well trained fire department, personnel will be quickly dispatched to aid you.

    Do not fall victim of the scare tactics used by those that are motivated to do nothing but improve their own financial standing…Police and Fire will continue to serve Oshkosh in a professional and urgent manner!

    On November 7th, go to the polls and vote
    YES
    NO

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 19, 2006 10:18 AM  

  • The real debate about the sales tax should be about if the tax is legal if it used the way Mr. Harris intends to use it.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 19, 2006 4:30 PM  

  • Brian, its been almost 2 months now, or longer, since it was brought to the public's attention by the department heads during the budget wordshop, that the city's fire hydrants have been tested by the Meter Reader/Valve Turners since early 1990's. Since much of the past discussions here have been centered around the unions, their gold-plated contracts, the city manager and his budgetary mumbo-jumbo beauacracy, I just wanted to check and see if the city management/leadership was still interested in taking care of this city and making sure that the past discrepancies were fixed (i.e. fire hydrants have been checked/turned).

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 19, 2006 8:09 PM  

  • Good morning Bryan,

    This message is another follow-up on my request for more information on city union employee healthcare.

    Just to refresh your memory, my original question posted to this site on Thursday 10-12-06:
    *****************
    Mr. Bain,

    It has been mentioned that the taxpayers of Oshkosh contribute in excess of $5,000,000.00 annually to JUST the healthcare benefit for city union employees.

    Could you please confirm that number and adjust as necessary if it is incorrect.

    Also, would you please provide the tax rate, and base it on a standard $100,000.00 home, to show exactly what just the healthcare cost impact is to the average Oshkosh taxpayer.

    Thank you.
    October 12, 2006 5:13 PM
    **********************

    You quickly replied on Friday 10-13-06 that you would request this information from the City Manager and post a reply.

    Not receiving a reply, I again posted a follow-up on Tuesday 10-17-06.

    You again quickly replied on the same day, indicating that the City Manager is pulling together the information, but that the Finance Director was on vacation and it was taking a bit longer.

    Well here it is Friday 10-20-06, one week since you requested the information from our City Manager. The question posed is, it seems to me, fairly straight forward and the information should be fairly easy to obtain. In fact it surprises me a bit that this data isn’t readily known, and used as a metric of discussion in negotiations with union representative. Bottom-line, I have a problem that this simple question has taken one week to answer…even with the Financial Director on vacation.

    A continue to wait for a detailed reply, and thank you in advance for your assistance in acquiring this information.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 20, 2006 7:37 AM  

  • Anonymous 7:37 a.m.-
    I understand your frustration. I asked the City Manager on October 13th for this information, however, have not heard back from him other than to learn that the Finance Director is out of the country. I have since followed up with Mr. Wollangk to remind him that I have citizens waiting for this information and will post it as soon as I receive it.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 20, 2006 12:52 PM  

  • Thank you Bryan,

    I appreciate your assistance.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 20, 2006 1:58 PM  

  • Last night during the Hintz/Leschke debate Julie mentioned the city budget (I assume preliminary) was done and there were no cuts to fire and police and there was no garbage fee. Any clue as to what she was talking about? Has Dick presented you with a budget yet?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 20, 2006 4:00 PM  

  • Anonymous 8:09 p.m.-
    I am definitely interested in "taking care of this city." Long-term maintenance of the city is vital, and I believe the council must deal with the problems that are brought before us. The issue is and always has been how best to deal with them.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 20, 2006 4:04 PM  

  • 4:04 pm
    Bryan, first of all, I want to apologize for mispelling your name on my earlier question. Second, I do believe you're turning into a good politician. Unfortunetaly, politicians lately have been turning out to be a lot of corrupt, shameful, full of hot air and no action individuals. I watch the city council meetings reguarly and have come to the conclusion that either the council members know all the facts of each case brought before them, but are too shy or scared to explain them to the public during the meetings, or council members do not know the facts, ask very little tough questions, if any, to gain answers, or just sit quietly hoping to give off the impression of being knowledgeable, but actually too afraid to make a mistake or show there ignorance in front of the public and/or television.

    Governing is not easy, we all know and understand this, however, you've made the conscious choice to "serve the public" by becoming a city council member, although commendable, it carries with it a monumental and weighty responsibility and little, if any, praise from those you serve. With that said, Please don't start hiding behind boring rhetoric and empty slogons about how "[you] believe the council must deal with the problems that are brought before us". I think many citizens are tired of watching their taxes increase year after year, while you and your peers on the city council just sit there, ask very few tough questions, demand little factual input and fail to call anyone to the carpet for there actions or inactions (i.e. City Manager not coming to the meeting prepared to answer questions with factual data, Department heads telling of failings in their departments covering decades with no answer as to why or any plan to fix the problem, or even recomendations that establishments be granted another year on their liquor license when the their business's have been closed, in some cases for years, all for the purpose of higher profit during resale).

    Bryan, you can be a better councilman by standing up for the citizens you serve, work hard to protect what this city stands for, defend the rights of each and every person to have a voice in government, wisely allocating funds to maintain this beautiful city with the idea of spending no more than absolute necessary and to verify that all city responsibities by the City Manager and Department Heads have been tasked, supervised and enforced.

    One question I think is important here at this point is, "Why is the Financial Director of the city of Oshkosh is out of the country, on vacation, and by all counts for almost 2 weeks now, when the city is in the midst of union labor contract issues/renewal and city budgetary problems?"

    Mr. Bain, are you up to the task of being a leader?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 21, 2006 12:00 AM  

  • Anonymous 7:37 a.m.-
    Thank you for your patience. I have a partial answer for you.

    According to the City Manager, the 2006 cost to the city for employee health insurance totals $6,599,146.08. I do not know how that compares to our comparables, however, that is information I hope to learn - I'm asking the City Manager Monday to look into this.

    I do not have the dollar amount of the total tax rate ($7.61 per $1000) health insurance costs the average taxpayer, however, I can tell you that, combined, payroll-direct labor and payroll-indirect labor account for 58.74% of the 2006 city budget (41.15% and 17.59%, respectively, and the highest and third highest 2006 expenditures, respectively).

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 22, 2006 1:50 PM  

  • Anonymous 4:00 p.m.-
    The City Manager presented the council with his 2007 preliminary budget. I received my copy Wednesday evening. Copies are available for $10.00 at City Hall in the Finance Department. I've asked the City Manager to post it on the city's website. I hope this helps.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 22, 2006 1:55 PM  

  • Anonymous 12:00 a.m.-
    Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I take them very seriously.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 22, 2006 2:01 PM  

  • Although it's not an "Official Topic" what about the news report that the school board approved a 7% tax increase, the only board member speaking for the tax payers, Ben Schneider, was the lone vote against the increase.

    We spend alot of time talking about the city council, but the darn school board lives in a little protective bubble, voting large increases to our property taxes at will.

    I say its about time to clean house with this group too. They live in a entitlement driven world and have no clue how there vote negatively impacts the lives of many average middleclass property tax payers.

    Ben Schneider II is the only board member that seems to look out for the average man. We need more like him.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 26, 2006 7:02 AM  

  • Another example of why public sector union wages and benefits are killing middleclass taxpayers:
    ....................
    The current top annual salary of $70,480 for a New Jersey correctional officer with 12 1/2 years experience will increase to $72,136 on Dec. 23.

    Off-duty New Jersey correctional officers are not allowed to make motor vehicle stops, but they are required to provide assistance to police officers at a crime scene, according to Stewart Harris, a PBA union leader who represents state correctional officers in southern New Jersey.

    Harris earns the same salary as other members of his union with at least 12.5 years on the job -- $70,480 -- which will increase to $72,136 in late December.

    Harris, 44, plans to retire next June on a pension that will pay him 65 percent of what he earned as a correctional officer. Additionally, the insurance premium for his retiree health benefits will be paid by the state.

    Having health insurance covered by the state is important to correctional officers, said Harris.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 26, 2006 2:14 PM  

  • Bryan, Let me begin by saying I have to admit I was not your biggest fan during your early days on the council. However, I must now admit I am a big fan of your work on the council. You have really grown into the position. I do not know what your plans are for the future. I would suggest you would make an excellent candidate for Mayor of Oshkosh. If you would chose to run you would have my support. You bring new ideas and a voice of reason to a council which has become stale.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at October 27, 2006 3:09 PM  

  • Anonymous 3:09 p.m.-
    Thank you for your honest feedback. I truly appreciate it. I hope to continue the work I've started on the council.

    -Bryan

    By Blogger Bryan L. Bain, at October 28, 2006 6:20 PM  

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