Barron News-Shield — Wed., June 24, 2020 — 9A www.news-shield.com Taxpayers likely to feel impact of pandemic

By Bob Zientara July 31, 2020, each of us who owns taxpayer’s future payments. Exactly decrease the half-percent sales tax to fund improvements at the high property can now wait until as late what that role might be has yet to be levied by the county on retail sales, school. You think we’ve seen the worst that as Oct. 1 to make the fi nal payment. determined, but it is already showing especially if the summer tourism sea- It was done because the state uses a the COVID-19 pandemic can do? If County Finance Director Jodi Busch up in small ways. son doesn’t produce the volume it did so-called “equalization aid” formula you pay sales, property or income advises property owners to check Here are three examples, two from in previous years. “to make up the differences between taxes (and most of us do), to coin with their local clerks and County Barron County, one from the Barron County Administrator Jeff French the yield from a district’s actual tax the Bette Davis phrase: “Fasten your Treasurer Vonnie Ritchie for details. Area School District. said sales tax collections for May base and the state benchmark ‘guar- seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy So, assuming we budget our money First, Barron County has advised 2020 were nearly $62,000 less than anteed tax base.’” night.” wisely, we have extra cash and extra local snowmobile and ATV clubs to they were a year ago. If that trend In other words, “districts with low First, the good news. Thanks to ac- time to pay off two of the largest bills seek private fi nancing for their proj- were to continue, some budget ad- per-pupil property valuations re- tion in Congress and the Wisconsin we will face this year. ects. justments might be in order, because ceive a larger share of their costs Legislature, most of us who pay in- Now, the not-so-good news. These clubs normally borrow mon- the county uses half of its pool of reimbursed through the equalization come and/or property taxes were giv- Local governments are going to be ey from the county at reduced inter- sales tax money each year to offset formula than districts with high per- en grace periods in order to weather affected by a steep drop in revenue est rates to buy grooming equipment local property taxes. pupil property valuations,” DPI said. the coronavirus storm. because of the coronavirus. How By Christmas, we will all get the or pay for trail maintenance. County According to Andrew Sloan, direc- The debt payment made it “ap- Federal and state income taxes are steep the drop, and how much less news – good, bad or indifferent – leaders, seeking to keep some cash tor of fi nance for the Barron Area pear” as if Barron is in a better “tax normally due and payable April 15. revenue, are unknowns. The whole when next year’s property tax bill ar- on hand depending on what happens School District, state school aid may bracket” than it actually is. Paying But, to provide each of us with thing should play out between now rives in the mail. later this year, have asked the clubs to go down about $229 per student next off the debt early is likely to mean more cash during the lockdown and the end of the year. Even so, the COVID-19 revenue look elsewhere to fi nance their proj- year because of the pandemic. more state aid – even with shrinking (which only lately has begun to ease), School districts will close the books shortage is sure to play a role in every ects. Sloan said the district should expect revenue overall – and less of a local income taxpayers have until July 15, on their current budgets on June 30 local government budget and every Second, the pandemic is likely to about $325,000 less from the state tax increase. 2020 to make good. and must lock in on a local property next year. Were that to happen, the “We can (usually) project -- with a The same goes for Barron County tax levy by mid-October. shortfall may have to be covered in high degree of certainty -- what (next property owners. Earlier this year, the Counties will go into their budget other ways – including local property year’s) mill rate will be,” Sloan said. Wisconsin Legislature okayed a mea- cycles later in the summer, and will taxes. “This year it is far more diffi cult. sure that allows second-half property adopt their tax levies and budgets To improve its position as a candi- “But we have put ourselves in a taxes to be delayed two additional around Thanksgiving. date for more state aid, the Barron position to best manage this for our months without an interest penalty. Municipal budgets will be written Area School District recently pre- taxpayers.” So, instead of having to pay up by during November and December. paid $800,000 worth of debt incurred

Barron News-Shield ,Z[HISPZOLK PU)HYYVUOVTLVM[OLJV\U[`˕ZÄYZ[UL^ZWHWLY;OL*V\U[`:LH[ USPS044-680 Periodicals postage paid at Barron, Wisconsin 54812. Published every Wednesday at 219 E. LaSalle Avenue, Barron, Wisconsin by Bell Press, Inc. Mark Bell ...... Publisher/Sports Editor Jim Bell ...... Associate Publisher Bob Zientara ...... Editor Bob Groshong ...... Contributing Editor Val Gieseke ...... 2I¿FH0DQDJHU Mary Goetsch ...... Advertising Manager Joe Waite ...... Graphic Designer

Member Wisconsin Newspaper Assn’n — Member National Newspaper Ass’n. – The Way It Was – POSTMASTER: Send all address changes to Barron News-Shield, Box 100, Barron, WI 54812 10 Years Ago—June 23, 2010 on what the national event should look like or whether Biden should come to Barron County offi cials appear to be supporting a 2 percent hike in the SUBSCRIPTION RATES Wisconsin to accept the nomination regardless of the DNC’s format. levy for the 2011 budget.––Kristen Sigurdsen, a 2009 Barron graduate, had a fantastic season with the St. Paul, Minn., Northwestern College softball (WITHIN BARRON COUNTY including Ridgeland, Clayton & New Auburn) Still, he suggested Republicans are so intent on an in-person convention and Trump rallies because they aren’t able to match Democrats for ginning team, this spring, earning All-Conference shortstop honors in her freshman One Year, cash in advance ...... $37.00 up enthusiasm among their supporters without those events. In doing so, he campaign. (OUTSIDE BARRON COUNTY — IN STATE) argued they’re ignoring science. 20 Years Ago—June 21, 2000 “We don’t think that there’s a compromise here,” Wikler said of keeping The Barron County Board of Supervisors heard the fi rst reading Monday One Year, cash in advance ...... $38.50 Democratic supporters safe and having a successful convention. “It’s just night of a resolution authorizing the purchase of property on which to build (OUT OF STATE) a straightforward decision that our fi rst priority should be the safety of our a proposed justice center that would include the jail, courtrooms, clerk of courts and related offi ces.––The Village of Ridgeland is observing its 100th One Year, cash in advance ...... $41.00 communities and our families, and we get creative how we take it from there.” Wikler said the state party’s organization efforts have helped fundraising. anniversary with a Centennial celebration June 30-July 2. PHONE: (715) 537-3117 WISCONSIN'S He said the party in November 2019 knocked on 60,000 doors a year out from 30 Years Ago—June 20, 1990 NEWSPAPERS FAX NO.: (715) 537-5640 Work will begin soon to clear away trees in order to build streets in the SUPPORT the 2020 election, and that helped make the case to donors to invest in the RECYCLING E-MAIL ADDRESS: party for the spring race. Rockman Park Addition in the southeast section of the city.––The City of [email protected] He said the party’s commitment this spring to Jill Karofsky’s Supreme Court Barron has received a $100,000 loan from the state trust fund. The money will go toward paying for a new municipal well constructed in the Rolling Advertising: [email protected] campaign nearly $1.4 million was a gamble, especially amid COVID-19 pandemic. But her convincing win helped cement the party’s relationship Oaks addition at the west edge of the city. The total cost of the project is with donors and volunteers who got involved. around $217,000. Now, the next test is the fall, which he said will not only shape the presi- 40 Years Ago—June 25, 1980 dential race but also lay the foundation for what the party can do in 2022. The Barron Area Board of Education approved a budget of $4,121,297 That’s when Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul will be up for for the 1980-81 school year.––The Prairie Farm school board approved an re-election. amended graduation requirement policy that will require all future graduates He said the goal this fall is simple: beat Trump and prevent Republicans of Prairie Farm high school to obtain a minimum of 24 credits. from getting two-thirds majorities in both houses of the state Legislature. 50 Years Ago—June 24, 1970 “The Trump operation is going to pour everything they have into our state,” Police Chief Clarence Desrude has issued a call for help in locating two Wikler said. “At the same time, Robin Vos is going to seek to move moun- very expensive bicycles, which were stolen from the owners’ residences last tains to grab supermajorities that could allow him to override the voters’ Thursday night.––The annual Chamber of Commerce “Appreciation Day” Democrats, Ready, Optimistic wishes from 2018 and draw new maps without input from people elected by is spread over two days this year, Friday and Saturday of this week, Barron a majority of the voters.” stores and businesses will close Saturday at 1 p.m. For The Fall Election The Capitol Report is written by editorial staff at WisPolitics.com, a non- 60 Years Ago—June 23, 1960 partisan, Madison-based news service that specializes in coverage of gov- Barron’s big 100th birthday celebration will begin today, Thursday, prompt- By Wispolitics.com ernment and politics, and is distributed for publication by members of the ly at 1 p.m.––The big Centennial Grand Ball and Queen Coronation will be Wisconsin Newspaper Association. held in the Junior high school gymnasium at 9 p.m. Shortly after 9 p.m. the Coming off the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s fi rst-ever virtual state con- Antique cars in the torchlight parade will carry the queen contestants along vention, Chair Ben Wikler says the party has built a “presidential-class cam- LaSalle avenue.––The highlights of Saturday night’s program for kids will be paign” that will now link up seamlessly with the operation of presumptive the “Fast Draw Championship.” nominee Joe Biden. 70 Years Ago—June 22, 1950 The party is in a position to do that, in part, because its fundraising has in- Every township in Barron county, except Rice Lake, lost in population dur- creased dramatically since Wikler took over as chair a year ago. Democrats Letters ing the last decade, according to fi gures released by the Eau Claire district fi nished the spring pre-election period with a more than 5-to-1 cash advan- census offi ce.––Cut worms have started to work in some areas of Barron tage over the Republican Party of Wisconsin in their state accounts. county.––A meeting to discuss corn borer control problems will be held June The chair told WisPolitics.com in advance of the June 12 virtual state con- Editorial note unprofessional 27 at the Barron county airport. vention that the party has also dramatically ramped up organizing efforts. 80 Years Ago—June 20, 1940 He said the state party has 72 fi eld organizers for the 2020 election, which is I would like to thank Amity Mathews for her letter last week given the title The Barron county Land Use Planning committee will present its fi nd- more than what the party had on Election Day in 2018. “Why Refer To Race”. She correctly reminds us that comments are often ing before the state committee at Madison, Monday.––Robert Stevens was Wikler declined to provide specifi cs of its fi eld effort. But he said the expan- made that reinforce prejudices. In this case it was that the News-Shield named successor to Dr. M.L. Clafl in as commander of Ben Brown post of the sion builds upon the work of predecessor Martha Laning and the efforts of wrote that an offi cer was called to check on a group of people who were American Legion here. thousands in the party across Wisconsin. making noise and identifi ed them as Somalian. Likely if it had been any 90 Years Ago—June 19, 1930 It also comes as Biden has yet to announce a state director or other in- other ethnic group nothing would have been noted about the ethnicity of The city council appropriated $50 to be added to a $150 fund raised by the frastructure in Wisconsin to lead his campaign through the November elec- that group. Barron Civic club to provide for a gorgeous display of fi reworks here on tion. That has raised concerns among some Democrats about the presumptive Associate Publisher Jim Bell responded to the letter with his own com- July 4. It is probable that the display will be made at the point of land across nominee’s organization compared to what President Trump has built with the ments. Contrary to what he wrote, Mr. Bell might have said, “we appreciate the pond from the power house.––A heavy rain Friday afternoon, which ac- RNC and state parties. the letter by Amity Mathews and pointing out that identifying the group as companied the tornado that struck heavily in Dunn and Eau Claire counties, But Wikler was unfazed, saying the campaign is “moving aggressively” to Somalian was unnecessary and may reinforce prejudices. Further, we all caused much damage by washouts in Barron county. lock in talent in Wisconsin. Plus, he said the campaign has the state party to need to work harder at thinking about how our words may add to a negative 100 Years Ago—June 18, 1920 lean on. perception toward groups of people”. Such a comment would have been Two businesses were visited either Saturday or Sunday night by what ap- “It puts us into a position where we’ve essentially erased the advantage much more professional and would also make it more likely that people pears to be amateur burglars.––There was no lull in the buying at the Fourth an incumbent normally has in a presidential election because of what we’ve will feel that they can express opinions in the newspaper without being con- Annual Holstein sale, which was held in the new stock pavilion in this city. been able to build,” Wikler said. cerned that their opinions may be marginalized. At the sale Tuesday 98 head were sold, the average price being $280.65, Wikler’s fi rst state convention as chair was unlike any other the party has Mark Pedersen including calves. seen. Rather than the usual two-day affair of activists gathering at a conven- Barron 110 Years Ago—June 24, 1910 tion hall for speeches, meetings and training, elected offi cials delivered a A note from the Associate Publisher—I appreciate Mr. Pedersen’s slight- Owing to the continued drought resulting in poor pasturage, several of those series of taped messages. The convention was slated to last less than three of-hand apology on my behalf regarding Amity Mathew’s letter, and my who own cows in the city are called upon to feed them on hay in order to keep hours and included voting on four DNC slots. footnote to that letter, which appeared in last week’s issue of the News- them alive.––The old wooden sidewalk fronting the High school building on Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders addressed the convention, along with Shield. I believe from this point forward, I will ask Mr. Pedersen to write for LaSalle St., has been taken up preparatory to the laying of a new cement walk Wisconsin elected offi cials. me any rare future comments I might have regarding letter submissions, as in the near future. Wikler said the core message of the convention would be that Wisconsinites I’m sure he will rescue me from any abuse of political correctness I might 120 Years Ago—June 22, 1900 are “desperate for change” from the Trump administration and that is trans- be inclined to make. However, I refuse to be shamed for my decision to On Tuesday last, N. McPaul of Maple Grove lost all his cows, three, by lating into a wave of organizing and energy to turn Wisconsin blue this fall. identify the group of people who attracted the attention of Barron police poisoning. John Darrow of the town of Barron also lost a very valuable cow The virtual convention also came as it remained uncertain whether national that day. Considering the national (and continuing) headlines in the news, the same way. They were poisoned by eating dynamite, which had carelessly Democrats follow through with an in-person convention in Milwaukee as and the protest reactions to that news, my decision to identify the group was been left in the pasture by railroad builders.––Saturday, June 16, 1900, will originally planned. totally defensible by any contemporary journalistic standard. If I had been long be remembered by many of the farmers of Barron county as the great The national party selected Wisconsin for its 2020 convention for a number present to take a photo of the assemblage, would that, too, have offended Mr. Champion delivery day. Over one-half of a consignment of 108 Champion of reasons, including a symbolic commitment to a swing state that Hillary Pedersen’s sensibilities? binders and mowers were delivered to the farmers who had bought them Clinton lost four years ago as she failed to campaign here during the gen- Jim Bell earlier in the season. eral election. National Chair Tom Perez this week said he is confi dent the 130 Years Ago—June 20, 1890 Democratic National Convention will be in Milwaukee come August in some Wood wanted at the SHIELD offi ce.––The Cameron Cheek now comes to capacity, though he didn’t yet know how many people would attend due to us in the shape of a fi ve column folio.––A part of the drive on the Yellow river COVID-19. has been hung up several days waiting for water.––Some of our lawn tennis Meanwhile, Republicans this week moved the keynotes of their conven- players are becoming experts. Rosy says he will challenge the world soon. tion to Jacksonville, Fla., from Charlotte, following a dust-up between North œˆ˜ÊÌ iÊ >ÀÀœ˜Ê iÜÇ- ˆi`Ê>Ì 140 Years Ago—June 17, 1880 Carolina offi cials and the president’s campaign over possible restrictions that During the past week this point of the country has been visited by the great- may have been put on the event due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, Trump is est fl ood known within the past 223 years; at the present writing we are un- again starting up his campaign rallies. able to give a defi nite account of the amount of damage done. The dam at Wikler said he was focused on the state convention and declined to opine www.news-shield.com Sumner was washed out, both at the Grist and Saw mills. At Rice Lake it was (please see above) found necessary to cut a channel and turn the water into the Pokegama creek, thereby saving the dam.