[C.A.R.T. - Citizens Against Rising Taxes in Barron County Wisconsin] width=

Home
C.A.R.T. Home
C.A.R.T. News
Email C.A.R.T.

C.A.R.T. was organized to address rapidly increasing property taxes in Barron County Wisconsin.

(This is the original mission description for C.A.R.T. on which our organization was founded.)

Property taxes in Barron County have increased at an unacceptable rate over the past fifteen (15) years.

See the chart  History of Property Tax Collection

Because of this growing financial burden being placed on property owners by the Board of Supervisors, we (taxpayers/owners) are organizing into one voice with many votes. To identify our organization to the general public, we will refer to it as "Citizens Against Rising Taxes" or "C.A.R.T."

Make no mistake about it, this is not a personal attack group. We will not engage in personal denigration. This cause is only about excessive property taxation and the taxpayers' inability to pay those taxes in Barron County. As a matter of public record, all members of this organization would be happy to invite any supervisor over to their home for a brat on the grill and a chat about spending. Our resolve, as a group, is to help solve a mammoth financial problem for the citizens of Barron County.

Many property owners in the county have been backed into a corner. Some senior citizens may have to sell their homes and rent. Many young families are worrying about how they are going to pay their tax bill this and every coming year. Many vacation home owners who built their dream on a budget are now seeing their dream being destroyed by taxes. Business owners have the double damage of high property taxes and the loss of income caused by resident property owners and vacation home owners now having to increasingly choose between purchases at the local hardware store or restaurant and paying their property tax bill.

The answer is to close the gate on this runaway hog called a budget (the amount of money available for a particular purpose) by requiring direct accountability. In taxpayers' terms: require a REFERENDUM, pursuant to Wisconsin statutes, Sec 59.52(25). This action will allow the electorate of Barron County to have a greater role in the spending of taxpayers' money with regard to how much and where it is spent. It is extremely important that the citizens of Barron County begin to teach County supervisors to be budget cutters, not budget busters.

What does C.A.R.T. want this referendum process to accomplish for the citizens and property owners of Barron County? Our hope is that the board of supervisors will always remember that they do represent all of us (a representative being a person chosen - elected - to represent the will of a group of people) They are accountable to the citizenry throughout that elected process period, not only at election time. Thus, our agenda is set (also see the C.A.R.T. Referendum on this website):

  1. Adopt a budget for 2005 that is not in excess of the 2001 budget. Any other budget proposal will be by referendum approval, 5ec59.25(25).

  2. In future years, if the Barron County Board of Supervisors seeks to increase property taxes, ratification shall be by the electorate through the referendum process only, Sec 59.25(25).

  3. If the Barron County Board of Supervisors ratifies a resolution that calls for an expenditure over one percent of the actual, the said group shall ratify the resolution contingent upon approval by the electorate in a referendum, Sec 59.52(25).
There you have it. It sounds simple, but it is not. There is a lot of hard work ahead for all of as citizens to help in reaching the goal of restraining this enormous budget. Our cause is just, our resolve is firm, and we will not be denied this time. Our organization is run skillfully with support coming from inside as well outside Barron County. The electorate is joining in rapidly. We invite you, the taxpayer, (owners, renters and out-of-state owners) to come join with us in this struggle for the control of future budgets in Barron County. We want FAIR property taxation, based on rational county spending plans that acknowledge the fact that household and business checkbooks can't accommodate large, compounded property tax increases - year after year.

Out-of-state property owners must remember that, while you may not be able to vote, the state certainly thinks you can afford to pay. Support C.A.R.T. and the Barron County voters that look out for your interests as they look out for their own.

Join us! Call a C.A.R.T. area representative, write or email us to add your support and learn the latest news about organization action plans.

Copyright © 2004 C.A.R.T.

Back to C.A.R.T. Home Page