Gov. Jim Doyle unveiled the "Wisconsin Partnership" Web site, an online resource center for local government leaders to take advantage of state resources to save money through procurement, technical assistance, as well as financial and grant information. The governor has directed his cabinet agencies to combine access to a wide array of services offered by the state on a single Web site.
"The key to controlling property taxes without devastating services is to reduce costs," Gov. Doyle said. "This website will facilitate a much stronger partnership between local and state government to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent as efficiently as possible."
"One major area where the state can help is in procurement," the governor said. "Local governments buy many of the same things the state does - from salt to copiers to cars. The state often gets much better deals buying in bulk than a local government would get. We want to make sure that local governments are aware of the discounts available, and have an easy way to take advantage of those discounts."
For example, the Web site enables local governments to purchase automatic defibrillators -- which normally cost $3,937 -- for $1,950, a savings of more than 50 percent. The site also offers savings ranging from 22 percent on police patrol cars to 62 percent on photocopiers.
Additionally, local governments can use the Web site to access information on applying for state grant programs, from Coastal Management Grants to Weatherization assistance. The site also provides information on how to access technical assistance from the state on topics ranging from human resources to information technology to waste and water management.
Through the Web site, the governor is inviting local leaders to provide feedback on what's useful and what isn't, to share best practices, and to suggest what further actions the state can take.
"Instead of attacking local communities as the current leadership in the Legislature has done, I believe we should be forging a much stronger partnership," the governor said. "Taxpayers don't want different levels of government at war with each other -- they want us working together to find solutions that benefit the whole state. This Web site is a common sense effort to do just that."
