Dane County Towns Association

General Meeting

November 12, 2003

Held at The Oaks Golf Course, Town of Sun Prairie

Meeting was called to order by President Gerald Derr.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Minutes & Treasurer’s Report was approved.

Kent Wood, WTA Lobbyist, reported on legislative action that day—The Assembly passed AB437 that gives limited TIF authority to towns. Vote was 69-27.

John Hockhammer, County Mutual Insurance, talked briefly about the insurance company that is created and controlled by local government officials.

Dave Gawenda, Dane County Treasurer, explained how the new use value penalty law is being administered by County Treasurers.  If the land is annexed and the use changed, then the annexing municipality gets half of the penalty and half of their share goes to the town from which the land was annexed (if within 2 years).  The County gets half for doing the collection.  The County just began to collect this penalty this year.  The rules have changed also as to how the penalty is figured.  The penalty is so much per acre depending on the size of the parcels involved. 

Todd Violante, Dane Co. Planning,  discussed the County Comprehensive Planning Process which apparently is going to be a 4-year process.  The first year they are setting up the plan for “planning” and will finish the goals and objectives by midsummer 2004.

Todd also discussed OA 22 about residences in the A-1 Exclusive District.

Check on county website for direct contact numbers for zoning employees.  They are working on a central receptionist.

WTA Representatives- Art Riese talked about the convention and the format used this year.

Bob Thomas discussed classes for the chief election inspectors.

Mark Hazelbaker – RPC-  Mark talked about the study group of city/town/village representatives who are discussing ways to replace the RPC functions.

Duane Gau gave out door prizes.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia Ampe, Secretary