2009 Wisconsin Act 28 - Discourages Cuts to Fire Departments

Could be good or bad , depending on the conditions within some communities. But should be a benefit for most. this could spread? You never know, other states could look at this and see if it works or not??? It does not reflect any expenditures that were derived from grants.

A new state law that is giving special protection to emergency services such as fire and police. Under the new law, dubbed "maintenance of effort for emergency services," municipalities and counties risk reductions in shared revenue from the state if they cut spending for emergency services below 2009 levels. But some city administrators are unhappy, saying the law prevents them from tackling wasteful spending at some fire departments.

What is maintenance of effort for emergency services?

2009 Wisconsin Act 28 requires counties and municipalities, beginning in 2010, to maintain their 2009 level of spending on emergency services. If a county or municipality fails to comply, DOR may reduce that county’s or municipality’s payment of shared revenues by an amount determined by DOR. (See Sections 79.07, 79.035 and 79.043, Wis. Stats.)

http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/slf/act28faq.html

79.07
79.07 Expenditures for emergency services.

79.07(1)
(1) Except as provided in sub. (3), beginning in 2010, the amount that each county and municipality spends each year for emergency services, as defined by the department of revenue to include only emergency services funded from payments received under ss. 79.035 and 79.043, shall be no less than the amount that the county or municipality spent in 2009 for emergency services, not including one-time expenses and capital expenditures. Each county and municipality shall report the amount it spent for emergency services in 2009, and the amount of its one-time expenses and capital expenditures, to the department of revenue at the time and in the manner prescribed by the department.

79.07(2)
(2) The department of revenue may adjust any amount reported under sub. (1) to more accurately reflect the amount that the county or municipality submitting the report spent for emergency services and to ensure that excluding one-time expenses and capital expenditures as provided in sub. (1) does not compromise the level of service for providing emergency services.

79.07(3)
(3) A county or municipality may decrease the amount it spends for emergency services below its 2009 amount, with the department of revenue's approval, if the decrease in expenditures is a result of operating more efficiently, as determined by the department. For purposes of this section, any decrease approved under this subsection shall permanently decrease the base amount of expenses for emergency services provided in the county or municipality requesting the decrease by the amount of the decrease.

79.07(4)
(4) If a county or municipality fails to comply with this section, the department of revenue may reduce the county's or municipality's payment under ss. 79.035 and 79.043, in an amount determined by the department.