Column: Proposed transportation referendum not a good idea

Editor’s note: The following is an opinion piece submitted by an elected official. For clarity, the petition calls for roadway projects costing $1 million or more of taxpayer (capital) dollars—not those covered by grants or other funding—to go to referendum. Also, the “roadway and transportation” referenced in paragraph seven actually reads “of any municipally financed public roadway or transportation project” in the language of the petition, and would not include a fire ladder truck, per the city treasurer.

On Jan. 4, a petition was filed for a referendum that, if enacted, would require all Stevens Point roadway and transportation projects costing $1 million or more to go to referendum for voter approval.

Regardless of the intent of the referendum, direct legislation of this type will have significant impacts on Stevens Point taxpayers.

Road and utility projects will likely be delayed, cost more, and possibly not be approved, potentially leading to neighborhood decline in some areas. All road and utility projects require a complex set of decisions involving evaluation of the road condition, design and engineering, budgeting, competitive bidding, funding, and coordination between departments.

The referendum would need to be timed to accommodate these variables.

Community Development [Department] would be restricted in its ability to negotiate developer agreements or capitalize on the incremental value of TIF districts, which in turn could cost the city millions of dollars in future tax revenue while simultaneously turning economic development opportunities away from Stevens Point.

State and federal funding agencies may be reluctant to award grants for improvement projects that must go to referendum, due to the uncertainty of the outcome and delays in decision-making. This would result in an increased tax burden to fund capital projects.

What are the limits of “roadway and transportation?” Our most recent fire ladder truck purchase was $900,000, and this equipment will likely cost over $1 million next time we buy it. Will these purchases need to go to a referendum? Will transit decisions be made by the electorate? What if a project goes over budget? If spending is truly the motive behind this petition, why is it limited to roadway and transportation expenses? What is the plan for inflation?

While $1 million is certainly a lot of money, it is fairly common to spend that amount on a public works project. For example, the 2022 capital budget includes $1.1 million for Janick Cir./Ridge Rd., $1 million for road surface improvements, and $1.6 million for Washington Ave./Smith St./Portage St. reconstruction.

Referendums play an important role in local government. For example, Stevens Point voters have approved referendums to ensure that we had adequate money to care for residents at the Portage County Health Care Center, as well as to complete essential repairs to our schools.

In stark contrast, the proposed referendum is a thinly-veiled attempt to upend how local government operates. City Council is designed to be transparent by having meeting agendas that are posted publicly, meetings that are open and accessible for citizens to attend virtually or in person, and alders who are more than happy to answer citizens’ questions and explain the factors that led to a particular decision.

Ask yourself if you are ready to commit your time to become familiar with the complexities of roadway and transportation projects in order to make informed decisions, as that is what is required. Another consideration is where we draw the line between representative democracy and direct legislation.

Daniel M. Warner wrote: “The Framers of the United States Constitution did not embrace direct, populist democracy…Representative democracy presumes that an informed electorate will choose wise legislators.” Instead of direct legislation that will make our local government less efficient and result in higher taxes and declining revenues, continue to elect representatives who are aligned with your values and vision for our wonderful city.

Mykeerah Zarazua is the councilwoman representing the city’s 4th District. She can be reached at 715-347-6622.