Just how low is Washington County's debt?

Washnington County has a very low debt level, which is part of why we were rated AAA by Moody's.  Just how low is our debt?

This week, the County Administrator released info that answers exactly that question.  It turns out that, if we do not do any new borrowing, our County will pay off all of its current debt by 2028.  Even better, the portion of our debt that is paid by the tax levy will be paid off by 2019 (next year).

"Following the County's dedication to fiscal responsibility, the County will be completely debt free by 2028, with levy-supported (2009 Notes) debt paid off by 2019! The County's debt per capita is also the lowest of all surrounding counties!" Joshua Schoemann, Washington County Administrator.

As our County Administrator mentioned, we now have the lowest debt ratio of any surrounding County, meaning that on a per resident basis, we owe less than Ozaukee County, Waukesha County, Dodge County, Milwaukee County, Sheboygan County, or Fond Du Lac County.

This is an outgrowth of a continued effort to be fiscally responsible.

New Payroll System is Live

Sometimes on the County Board, we have to vote to spend money, it would be irresponsible not to, and our new payroll system is one such example.

When I was first elected, I found out that we had a payroll computer system that was about 30 years old (I am not exaggerating, it was installed in the late 1980s).  We were preserving an old computer, with a monochrome screen (green letters on a black background), just for our payroll system.  To transfer data into our accounting system, if I recall correctly it had to be saves to a floppy disk, and then taken to a computer where the data could be transferred to a thumb drive, and then it could be taken to a modern computer and loaded into our accounting database.  If anything went wrong, with either the computer or the software on the computer, finding people who were familiar with technology that old was challenging, as they were all reaching retirement age.

Clearly we could not continue with a payroll system that was so drastically outdated.  The new payroll system would have an expensive price tax, $900,000, but it was money we had to spend.  Early into my term, in 2016, the County Board voted to update our 30 year old payroll system.  I voted with the clear majority, to bring our payroll department out of the 1980s.

This month, after more than a year of work, our new system went live.  Our employees n longer need paper timecards, instead recording their time electronically.  As well, our current County Administrator has made a commitment to always purchasing the software upgrades so that the system will remain current, and never need such a massive or expensive overhaul.

Do I like spending $900,000 of taxpayer money?  Absolutely not, but in this case we had to upgrade our payroll system.  The best part, we did it and still were able to lower taxes.

Understanding Milwaukee's Regional Tax Plan (Which I Stopped) to Fund the Trolley

Milwaukee cannot afford the trolleys and commuter rail lines they want to build, so they are looking to find ways to tax the outlying counties.  I knew this, so when I saw the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission's (SEWRPC) 2050 regional transportation plan, I knew I had to carefully scrutinize it for any hint of funding for Milwaukee's trolleys and other rail lines.

I want you to be able to verify on your own everything I am about to share, and you can do so by going to the Vision 2050 website at https://www.vision2050sewis.org/.  Make sure to click on the "Funding the Plan" link.

The plan proposed a regional increase to 6 existing taxes, as well as a new tax for every mile driven.  Here is the breakdown:

• Vehicle Miles Traveled - This new tax would tax motorists $.01 for every mile traveled.  For a 2-car family where each car is driven 20,000 miles each year, that would be a $400 per year tax.
• Sales Tax Increase - The sales tax would be increased across all 7 counties.
• Vehicle Registration Fee - The fee to register your vehicle would be increased if you live in any of the 7 counties in the plan.
• Gas Tax - Gas stations in all 7 counties would be forced to charge an increased gas tax.
• Property Tax - Property taxes in all 7 counties would be increased.
• Rental Car Tax - An additional tax on rental cars would be imposed for all 7 counties.
• Hotel Tax- An increase in the tax paid on hotel room stays would be imposed across all 7 counties.

Here is the tax structure, straight from SEWRPC's website:

I saw this, and at the September County Board meeting I raised this issue, I made a motion withholding our support for any passenger rail program in the plan, any regional tax proposed in the plan, and any mass transit that relied on taxes from Washington County.  My motion passed unanimously.

Read more about this here: http://district3bossert.blogspot.com/2017/09/to-mayor-barrett-no-we-wont-fund-your.html. 

Even though any regional tax would need to be approved by our board at the time of implementation, I did not want Milwaukee to even get a foot in the door in relation to regional taxes to fund their trolleys.  25 other supervisors missed this part of the plan, as SEWRPC had encouraged us to review the details listed under the link titled "The Plan."

For as long as I am on the board, I will always scrutinize anything that relates to regional transportation planning, to make sure we don't let Milwaukee even get their foot in the door on regional taxes for their trolley program.

Moody's Rates Washington County Fiscal Health Triple A

I just got this from our County Administrator, Moody's has given the County a rating of Aaa, which is their highest rating.

From the report:

The credit position for Washington County is outstanding, and its Aaa rating is higher than the median rating of Aa2 for US counties. Notable credit factors include a very healthy financial position, an extremely small debt burden and a mid-ranged pension liability. The credit position also reflects an extensive tax base with strong wealth and income levels.  

Finances: The county has a robust financial position, which is aligned with the assigned rating of Aaa. The cash balance as a percent of operating revenues (59.1%) is much higher than the US median, and saw an impressive increase between 2012 and 2016. In addition, the fund balance as a percent of operating revenues (27.2%) is roughly equivalent to the US median.  

Debt and Pensions: The debt and pension liabilities of the county are exceptionally low overall and are consistent with its Aaa rating. The net direct debt to full value (0.1%) is slightly under the US median, and stayed the same from 2012 to 2016. Furthermore, the Moody's-adjusted net pension liability to operating revenues (1.3x) is on par with the US median.  

Economy and Tax Base: Washington County has a very healthy economy and tax base, yet the factor is slightly weak when compared to the Aaa rating assigned. The full value ($13.8 billion) is stronger than the US median, and grew between 2012 and 2016. Also, the median family income equates to a healthy 126.1% of the US level. Lastly, the full value per capita ($103,207) is slightly above other Moody's-rated counties nationwide.

The fiscal responsibility we've employed over the last 2 years is paying dividends.  I am proud to be a part of the County Board that made the decisions that led to such a strong fiscal report.

First New Ammenities Being Implemented for Our Parks (Dog Park and Disc Golf Course)

You can read about it in yesterday's Washington County Daily News, the County is beginning plans to offer our first new amenities to a County Park under our new Parks Sustainability Plan.  When we transitioned the County Parks from the tax levy to a user-fee system, we promised more amenities for our priority parks.  We are delivering on that promise.

• At Sandy Knoll County Park, we are adding a disc golf course.  Half the course is open, and the other half should be ready in time for the summer season. 
• At Homestead Hollow County Park, planning is underway for a dog park.  Work will begin soon, and the park should hopefully be ready by July.

I keep my promises.  When the parks sustainability plan was put in place, the promise we as a board made to the community was that we would grow our priority parks (the Eisenbahn Trail, Ackerman’s Grove, Yahr, Glacier Hills, Sandy Knoll, Heritage Trails, and Homestead Hollow).  We will fulfill that promise.

You can help, by buying a park sticker.  100% of the purchase price supports our parks.

Announcing My 2018 Reelection Campaign

Hello neighbors, tonight I officially announce the start of my 2018 re-election campaign.

I was elected in 2016, and during my first 2 years, I have accomplished a surprising amount.

• I led the effort to switch County Board meetings from daytime to evenings, which will take effect in May and increase accountability and community access to County Board proceedings.
• I led the effort to prevent a package of 7 regional tax increases, including a “Vehicle Miles Tax,” all designed to support Milwaukee’s trolley and commuter rail aspirations as part of the “Vision 2050” regional transportation plan.  This tax package could have cost each resident of Washington County approximately $250 per year in additional taxes if allowed to be fully implemented.
• I authored a resolution supporting Senator Duey Stroebel’s effort to end the dark-store loophole, which right now allows national retailers to shift their property tax burdens to homeowners and small businesses.
• I worked to ensure the sustainability and potential for growth of our County park system, including the golf course, for future generations.  Due to levy limits, our park system was potentially at risk, but by removing them from the tax levy and making them self-funded, their future is secure and we can even look towards offering new amenities at our priority parks like the Eisenbahn Trail, Ackerman’s Grove, Yahr, Glacier Hills, Sandy Knoll, Heritage Trails, and Homestead Hollow.
• I worked to make County government more efficient and helped reduce the County property tax rate to the lowest level in 100 years.
• I worked to provide strong County support for the groups in our County that fight the heroine epidemic, including the Heroine Task Force and Elevate.

But there is more work to be done, including:

• Reducing pay and perks for County Board Supervisors (yes, I think we are overpaid).  I supported reducing our pay and eliminating per diem pay earlier this year, an effort that needed just 2 more votes.
• Continuing to make our County Government smaller and more efficient.
• Ensuring the retention of quality County Employees in a labor market that is projected to soon see a shortage in skilled workers in most segments of the economy.
• Working on plans to grow the services offered at our priority parks like the Eisenbahn Trail, Ackerman’s Grove, Yahr, Glacier Hills, Sandy Knoll, Heritage Trails, and Homestead Hollow.  That growth may include camping, dog parks, disc golf courses, playgrounds, and other amenities.
• Ensuring the sustainability of critical services in our Sheriff’s department, our Human Services Department, our Veteran’s Department, and the more than 300 residents who live at Samaritan.
• Continue to adjust services that were identified by the priority-based budget system to ensure their secure future for our County.

I ask the voters in my District to re-elect me, so that I can continue the work I began 2 years ago.

Thank you

Christopher D. Bossert, County Board Supervisor