Civitas: Not your high school civics class!

In Business Magazine
3/4/2007

Want to feel really stupid, really quickly?

Answer this: How much did the property tax levy change, on state average, from 2005-06 to 2006-07? A) 0.87% decrease; b) 1.72% decrease; c) 1.53% increase; or d) 3.16% increase.

Here's another one: What county reported the largest increase in property tax rates from 2005-06 to 2006-07? A) Menominee; b) La Crosse; c) Dane; or d) Brown.

Thus began the Civitas class of 2007. These were just two in a five-question quiz up for discussion on "Understanding Property Taxes." I, for one, quickly recognized that I understood very little, and luckily, I wasn't alone! That's exactly why nearly 70 area business people were eagerly anticipating this 10-month luncheon program developed by Wood Communications and the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.

Per its annual report, Civitas arose from the belief that "people of good will and ability would be more likely to get involved in local government, and would be less likely to have unrealistic expectations of what government could or should do, if they had more information about where the money comes from, where it goes, who pays and how decisions really get made." No argument there, so let's get down to business ….

The Madison Club hosts all Civitas luncheons, and unlike last month's parking woes, this day I found a quick, convenient spot at Monona Terrace. Registration went smoothly, followed by a (surprise!) photo, after which I found my assigned seat. My tablemates ran the gamut from middle management to owners/partners, and it was clear we all were anxious to begin - though the mention of Quiz on the day's agenda raised some eyebrows. (It was, by the way, a great icebreaker, and quite painless.)

Jim Wood opened the program and briefly explained how Civitas came to be. Expressing his frustration with Madison's history of low voter turnout and uncontested elections, Wood cited results from surveys his firm had conducted over the past few years. It was clear, he said, that most people simply do not understand how local decisions are made. Civitas was born as an attempt to correct this disconnect, promising to engage and educate participants in the intricacies of local government, with the hope of encouraging some to run for public office.

Indeed, six people from last year's premiere class ran on local ballots, and one was elected!

Throughout the year, our class will learn about property taxes, school funding and budgets, municipal budgets, transportation, human services and public safety. The Civitas "faculty" list includes only the most qualified individuals, from legislators to fire and police chiefs, former mayors to school board representatives. At this first meeting, the featured keynote speaker was Todd Berry, President of the Wisconsin Taxpayer's Alliance, with guest panelists Jonathan Barry, former Dane County Executive Charles Hicklin, Dane County Controller and Paul Soglin, former Madison Mayor.

Who better to explain the tax issue than Todd Berry, who can make Property Tax 101 read like a bedtime story. Not because he lulls us to sleep, but rather because he has an uncanny way of simplifying the process. [Note the word "simplifying," as I don't believe any of this is truly simple.] With the help of a tidy handout, Berry explained why Wisconsin is different from other states, and why property taxes are often called the "bloody shirt" of politics.

(Hmm, anyone want to take a stab?)

Participation in Civitas [civitaswi.org] is "by invitation only," and most are nominated by employers, past members or Chamber members. Nominees must be at least 21 years of age, currently living in Dane County (for at least two years), and if you don't fit that mold, you can try for an exception. Thanks to our paid membership in the Far Eastside Business Association, I was awarded a scholarship. The course costs $200 - a bargain, considering the education and materials you receive, the exposure it provides to experts and policymakers (if not one in the same), the networking element, and let's be honest? The venue and menu!

As a 1999 alumnus of Leadership Greater Madison, I was long overdue for a good dose of civic education, and, at least with this first meeting, Civitas did not disappoint.

Oh, and the answers to the quiz questions? 1) 1.72% decrease, and 2) Menominee.

Gosh, I'm feeling smarter already!