WTA Position on Annexation

WTA Position on Annexation
October 2000

Govern annexations by reasonable standards that promote fairness and cooperation

Wisconsin can no longer afford state boundary adjustment laws that pit neighbors against one-another. Reasonable city and village growth can be accommodated, but boundary changes do not have to be "win-lose" equations. We must also recognize that annexation of rural greenfields diverts reinvestment away from urban brownfields.

Tax Incremental Finance (TIF): No land that has been annexed within the past 10 years should be included in a TIF District without the consent of the affected town board.

Reasonable Boundaries: Annexations should follow section lines, parcel lines, and natural and man-made boundaries (e.g., rivers and highways) that promote reasonable boundaries.

Fiscal Estimate: Cities and villages considering an annexation petition should prepare a fiscal estimate of the impact of the proposed annexation and be required to make a finding that the annexation is in the public interest.

2nd Class Village: Towns that meet the population density and equalized value of the average Wisconsin village and provide municipal services comparable to those of the average village should be allowed to incorporate as a village of the second class, with all the powers of a village except annexation and extraterritorial plat review powers. The State of Michigan has successfully implemented a similar law called "charter towns."

Conventional Sewer: Operators of municipally-owned sewer and water systems should be required to extend service to all areas located within their planned service area, based on: (a) payment of reasonable capital and operating costs; and (b) a finding by a public health department that such an extension would promote public health.

Alternative Sewer: State Administrative Rule Comm 83 should be amended to permit the use of alternative wastewater treatment technologies, including neighborhood-scale and parcel-scale systems, that are shown to be both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Functional Consolidation: State aid formulas should encourage stronger intergovernmental cooperation, which can promote better services and cost savings, while also retaining local accountability.

2007-08 WTA Legislative Agenda
WTA Position on Functional Consolidation
More Information About Brownfields
More Information About Tax Incremental Financing (TIF)
More Information About Comm83
WTA Policy Goals
WTA Position on Transportation
WTA Position on Land Use
WTA Position on State Aid Payments
WTA Position on Home Rule
What is A Town?

WTA Position on Annexation October 2000

WTA Position on Annexation
October 2000