Janesvillean failed to note that income in Janesville is also below the state average as is property values. Therefore, Janesville should be lower than 106th out of 190, if Janesvilleans's figures are correct. As if any of that makes any difference. Our city is suffering economically worse than probably 150 out of 190 cities in Wisconsin. The city council should consider that before they give bonuses to cover employees' benefit contributions or extend benefits to "domestic partners".

Spending "OPM" (other peoples' money) can be just as addictive as opium, judging by our council's spending proclivities.

Back to janesvillean: Having a tax levy that's slightly below normal is kind of a meaningless measure. If property owners can't charge enough in rentals to cover taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance on top of mortgage payments, things break down. Throw around whatever numbers you want, the fact is the City and County taxes and water utility bills are making a bad economic situation much worse.

In a city that spends money on an unnecessary ice arena, pedestrian under- and over-passes, and funding school official junkets to China (to name just a few - and don't forget the children's museum!), and that can't make a decision for years on the issue of sidewalks, INSTEAD of focusing its limited taxpayer funding on basic city services, I think there's little question that most of the taxpayers of Janesville know EXACTLY what the city council should do, and where!

The city is not paying for the domestic partners insurance,the city is allowing domestic partners to purchase insurance at the same rate the city pays.

FEE'S! The lowering of tax's are not decreasing to offset the increasing fee's.

ifiruledtheworld, let's do that for all spouses and dependents. After all, they're just riding on the coattails of the public employee and are not doing anything for the taxpayers.
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whz_bng, the city does not control the assessments. Also, if all properties in the city improve their value similarly, no property taxes would actually rise. It's only differential value that would cause an increase in the actual tax laid on a property.
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Sigma40, you do realize that without this ordinance change, you will have no way to force a neighbor who chooses to neglect a dangerous, dead tree overhanging your property, right? The costs will ultimately be charged back to the property owner, just as with sidewalk repairs the city does. But collecting that sometimes takes time.

A bug is certainly not a priority. If a homeowners tree dies... they take care of it, no different than any other time.

I would like to see the domestic partnership insurance coverage costs to the City followed over the next several years (actually semi-annually) to see just how much money the city will be borrowing to pay for domestic partner insurance coverage. This is not about prejudice, it is about spending within ours means. Let them, the domestic partner, pay for themselves as the city is already paying for half the household.

I would like to see the domestic partnership insurance coverage costs to the City followed over the next several years (actually semi-annually) to see just how much money the city will be borrowing to pay for domestic partner insurance coverage. This is not about prejudice, it is about spending within ours means. Let them, the domestic partner, pay for themselves as the city is already paying for half the household.

What's that yellow liquid falling from above landing on our heads? It's not rain I assure you. If the city is spending more money you are paying in more. So please stop with the shifty headlines the citizens know better.

What makes me angry is "taxes will be less" then you slap on more money on water bill for garbage. If it is a tax then put it on the bill. Don't look like heros and then screw us by making a fee and no deduction for it! wheel "tax" should be deductable but it sin't on our TAXES. Garbage fee for taxes are on a water bill- that is so stupid! I don't even use the curb and I get hit double and don't even have tenats.

yes, but assessments are up.

TroubleMaker, the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance figures show that Janesville's municipal levy is below average, and ranks 106th out of 190 Wisconsin cities. If you will note, the projected city levy is intended to go down.

No. Of course the budget has NOT had enough scrutiny. There are ALWAYS places to cut. Find them !

I own a business property in downtown Janesville with commercial and residential units. The property taxes, along with the sewer and water charges, have driven me into bankruptcy and I'm facing foreclosure. Would someone, somewhere PLEASE get a grip and stop taxing and spending before all the small business owners die out?

Responsible elected leaders must look ahead. Kealy and Severson understand that this is not simply about the next year. We need to establish reasonable spending practices for the next decade and beyond.