AG 1998 12 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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state-generated revenues. New.. taxing authority for counties should not be viewed as a catalyst for shifting costs from the state to counties. This avoids undue burden on counties and provides for even funding of mandated programs across the state. tO mc~.t .......... ,.l .......... ts ............................. o,a, ............... : .._:~.,, g~.aFh- .~:~,~,.,,,;^. ^r ,,. .............. '~^'"'~ "~ c~ .........a.t .... .............................. ., ......... '~ redistribution of new tax sources should be implemented without taking into account taxpayer equity as reflected by local needs, local fundihg efforts, and local funding capability. There may be ch-cumstances in which broad statewide policy objectives necessitate reductions in the tax bases of local governments. In such cases, the General Assembly should provide counties and cities with reimbursements from state sources which replace the actual loss in each county on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Any a~t[2nal t-~ revenue authority for counties should be employed to produce unrestricted revenue under the control of county commissioners and municipal officials. Local government tax revenues should not be earmarked for specific programs, functions, or services. Optional tax sources should be evaluated by state and local officials in terms of their impact on various ~oups of taxpayers, taking into consideration ability to pay, wealth, and benefit in order to avoid overburdening any particular group of taxpayers. Fiscal Integrity of Counties The continued fiscal health of county government depends upon: State laws and guidance which provide for sound financial management practices that are adaptable to the special needs of each county. Guidance from appropriate state agencies on necessary improvements in consistent accounting, reporting and auditing procedures. Recognition by state agencies which oversee programs operated by county governments that there have been significant improvements in budgeting and fiscal management practices at the county levels and elimination of pressure from state agencies on counties to carry out practices which are redundant, duplicative, or inconsistent with generally accepted principles of budgeting and accounting. Timely information from the Legislative and Executive Branches of state government regarding budgetary decisions which affect taxation, budgeting, and fiscal management by counties. In order to enhance the fiscal integrity of counties, the Association of County Commissioners will continue to support improvements in financial management practices and reduction of inconsistencies in fiscal procedures among programs administered by county governments. Financing Public Facilities County governments have the primary responsibility for financing a range of public facilities which include: public schools, local jails, court buildings and county administrative buildings. Historically, counties have utilized the public bond market as the main source of long-term f'mancing for such facilities. Recent changes in Federal tax laws which will affect the municipal bond market, along with the use of new facilities financing techniques in other states, necessitate consideration of broader financing authority for counties. Accordingly, the Association will work with the Local Government Comsnission to find suitable alternative means of financing necessary public facilities. The Association believes that revisions in the traditional approach to long-term financing of public facilities should offer financially feasible ways of providing ' multi-year financing of capital projects without jeopardizing fiscal well-being of county governments. I.Jshas~d/¢d/Policy Statcmcnt on T~ation and Finance Proposed Changes /_~ ~// (~) As of 9~94