The Finance Committee met 08/12/2024. The first item they took up was a vote on the resolution requiring a 2/3 majority of the Common Council to approve any changes to the fees associated with the wheel tax.
The resolution passed after brief discussion by a vote of 3-1 with Alderperson Brad Firkus (District 3) casting the dissenting vote.
I’ve prepared a transcript of the discussion for download:
Alderperson Firkus did not indicate why he voted against the resolution. During the discussion he did ask some process questions. He confirmed with City Attorney Christopher Behrens that it would only take a simple majority to pass this resolution. Once the resolution was passed, he asked if it would take a simply majority to rescind it or if a 2/3 majority would be required to rescind it. Attorney Behrens told him that it would only require a simply majority to rescind. The resolution was changing the ordinance regarding the wheel tax and ordinance changes only required a simple majority to change.
Alderperson Denise Fenton (District 6) saw no problem with the resolution, noting that it was in line with the vote requirements for things like budget amendments and there was actually a ¾ majority required to increase aldermanic salaries.
Alderperson Sheri Hartzheim (District 13) concurred, stating she thought that if 2/3 of 15 people couldn’t agree to a change to the wheel tax “then it really shouldn’t happen.”
The committee voted 3-1 to approve the resolution with Alderperson Firkus voting no.
View full meeting details and video here: https://cityofappleton.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1214266&GUID=3B187F72-EAE6-43FA-A9AF-98CE459957F9
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