The C.A.R.T. Referendum

We, all qualified electors in Barron County, believe that property taxes in Barron County have been increasing at an unacceptable rate over the past ten (10) years. Although the increases in property taxes are not due entirely to expenditures by Barron County, we believe that the Barron County Board of Supervisors has not adequately controlled its spending. In particular, uncontrolled spending is resulting in seniors and other individuals on fixed incomes being taxed out of their homes.

The Wisconsin Statutes, in Section 59.52(25), provide a vehicle for the electorate to be involved in county spending through referenda that either advises the Barron County Board of Supervisors on appropriate action or approves board action that was previously ratified contingent upon approval in a referendum. We believe that the Barron County Board of Supervisors must utilize the referenda procedures set forth in Section 59.52(25) of the Wisconsin Statutes in order to allow the electorate to take a greater role in spending. Therefore, we demand that the Barron County Board of Supervisors take the following steps:

1. If the Barron County Board of Supervisors adopts a budget for 2005 that is in excess of the actual amount spent in the year 2001, the Barron County Board of Supervisors shall adopt the budget for 2005 contingent upon approval by the electorate in a referendum pursuant to Section 59.52(25).
2. In future years, if the Barron County Board of Supervisors seeks to increase property taxes, the Barron County Board of Supervisors shall ratify the resolution seeking to increase property taxes contingent upon approval by the electorate in a referendum pursuant to Section 59.52(25).
3. If the Barron County Board of Supervisors ratifies a resolution that calls for an expenditure of over one per cent of the actual expenditures spent by department category over 2001 actual, the Barron County Board of Supervisors shall ratify the resolution contingent upon approval by the electorate in a referendum pursuant to Section 59.52(25).