Executive Director’s Message
By Thomas W. Bahr, Executive Director
Final preparations for the upcoming annual WPPA Convention have been competed. Please make sure that your local has made the necessary reservations and registration for your representatives to attend.
There are always at least two components to any convention – the business side, and the social side. We are once again holding the Convention at the Kalahari Waterpark Resort and Convention Center, which has recently completed expanding its facility. The entire resort lends itself to the social side by providing activities for our members as well as their families. There is always a wealth of information that we can learn from each other while relaxing after the meetings and seminars, and we should all take advantage of the social time at the Convention to catch up with old friends and chat with members from other regions of the state and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The WPPA will again be providing a variety of seminars that deal with issues our members face on a daily basis. I am sure that those who attend will be able to take information back to their members and spread the word in order to assist those who could not attend.
There is a movement afoot that could have a dramatic impact on how municipalities across this state are treated regarding the amount of shared revenue they receive. Whether it is called TABOR, or some other derivative, there will more likely than not be changes in the shared revenue program which could have a dramatic effect on how your employer provides services to the citizens you serve. You need to be aware of the potential effects these various plans might have on both your family and your community. Do the research, ask the questions, and determine what is the best approach for your respective communities. If we sit idly by, the issue will undoubtedly become one of politics rather than substance.
Make no mistake about it, any short-term adjustment to shared revenue would be just that – short term – and would not take the steps necessary to address the long-term problems that currently exist. The WPPA has spent considerable time and resources to formulate a plan that speaks to the problems of the current shared revenue program and takes a long-term view to correct the problems. The principal authors of the WPPA plan have gone to great lengths to take an analytical view of the current program, engage representatives of various political and private groups to determine what issues need to be addressed, and to set about to create a plan of action.
WPPA’s Jim Palmer and Morris Andrews have spent many hours researching this issue, prepared a plan of action, and have been discussing it with state, county, and local government officials. They have seen growing support for this plan, which recently has been the subject of many newspaper editorials across the state. I encourage you to call Jim Palmer at our Madison office (1-800-362-8838 or 608-273-3840) and discuss with him what you might do to assist in making sure that WPPA members in your area become informed and involved about possible changes in shared revenue.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Convention.
