Please note:  While I am not a member of any political party, I very much appreciate being asked to participate in the Democratic Party candidate survey.

Democratic Party of Outagamie County

Survey Responses – Jeff Ings, Grand Chute Supervisor #2

February 11, 2024

Reason For Running.  I originally ran for the Grand Chute Town board in 2020 to put a stop to the practice of paying for road improvement projects using special assessments.  These special assessments had grown over time to become extremely harmful to families, small businesses and even not-for-profit organizations.  It was not unusual for residents to receive a special assessment levy of $15,000 – $35,000 for work done on their road.  Small businesses were often receiving special assessments in excess of $100,000.  The Town Board was not listening to the people on this and other issues.  This problem ultimately resulted in six special assessment lawsuits, involving more than 70 property owners, that were filed against the Town in 2019.  Changes were needed to put residents back in charge of our government.  With the help of other like-minded members of our current Town Board, we put an end to the use of special assessments, and we have brought a voice back to our residents. 

Looking ahead, I would like to continue to work for positive changes that our Grand Chute residents want.  For more information, please see ‘www.IngsForGoodGovernment.com.’

Most Pressing Issues.  The biggest concern of residents continues to be that special assessments will be brought back against their will.  I am working to prevent that from happening.  There are better, more fair, ways to fund our roads.  Additional, important issues for our residents are having:

• Strong, cost-effective public safety (police and fire) programs
• Good stewardship of tax dollars
• Good road and facilities maintenance programs
• The elimination of drainage and flooding problems related to new development
• Thoughtful ordinances that are fair, consistent and that respect property owner rights
• Help with questions and issues they encounter.

These are items of Town business that I am working to promote and protect.

Transparency in Government.  Residents want to know how their local government is serving their needs, as well as the needs of our community, as a whole.  I believe my job as a Town Board Supervisor is to understand the issues facing our Town in order to protect the interests of our residents and taxpayers.  I do not “rubber stamp” projects.  In order to be effective, I take the time to research issues, ask questions about items of business that come before our Board and help in the development of positive and beneficial solutions, ordinances, polices and direction. 

I also believe that an important element in being transparent and proactive in our local government is to work with residents in order to respond to inquiries and concerns.  This is an important part of my job as a Town Board Supervisor.  My belief is that our municipal government exists entirely to serve the will of our residents.”

During the time I have been on the Board, two important public safety needs have been brought to our residents in the form of referendum questions.  This practice helps to ensure that our actions reflect the will of our citizens.

Appropriate Rate of Growth, and Providing Services Required to Support that Growth.  Grand Chute is a ‘welcoming’ community.  Our motto is “Experience Better.”  A prior motto was “Tradition and Progress.”  Our Town has experienced much growth and innovation over the past 40 years.  It is something we take pride in as a community.  According to the US Census Bureau, Outagamie County, including Grand Chute, has grown 9-10 percent since 2010.  This rate of growth is expected to continue into the foreseeable future.  It is important that our Town is preparing properly to serve our growing population, including with necessary infrastructure, with responsible ordinances and policies, with public safety preparedness (including police, fire and emergency services facilities and staffing), with needed business and employment opportunities, and with available housing.  We are working to create the solutions and environment that are needed by our community as we move forward.

2023 Shared Revenue Increase and Restrictions on its use.  I appreciate that our state legislators worked together during the 2023-2025 state budget biennium to reverse the long-term trend of reducing shared revenues to municipalities.  The concept of the state sharing revenues with municipalities began in 1911, which was the time when Wisconsin implemented a state income tax to pay for needed governmental services.  The original revenue sharing formula was for the state to retain 10 percent of the income tax revenues and for the remaining 90 percent to be returned to municipalities in the form of ‘Shared Revenue’ payments. 

Over time, the revenue-sharing formula was continually revised to where municipalities have, in recent years, been receiving less than 10 percent of state income tax proceeds.  It was encouraging to see our Governor and state legislature recognize the need to provide a greater amount of Shared Revenues to local municipalities.  This support is very much needed and appreciated by municipalities.  Stipulations placed on the use of state Shared Revenue funds are that they must be used to support expenditures related to police, fire and / or emergency services, and other municipal services.  These stipulations make great sense, as they help ensure that the funds are being used in ways that directly benefit municipal governments and the people of the communities receiving state Shared Revenue funds.

Paid for by Ings For Good Government