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Trempealeau County board backs state bill to shift transfer‑fee dollars to local land records
Summary
The county board unanimously approved a resolution supporting SB218/AB216 to change real estate transfer‑fee splits and increase Wisconsin Land Information Program (WLIP) grant caps; officials said the change would raise local retention and provide more funding for land records modernization.
The Trempealeau County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on May 19 to support 2025 Senate Bill 218 and Assembly Bill 216, measures county officials said would shift a portion of real estate transfer‑fee revenue to local land records programs and increase WLIP grant amounts.
The board adopted a resolution introduced by the Executive Finance Committee that endorses the bills, which the resolution says are governed by Wisconsin statutes 16.967 and 59.72 and administrative rule chapter ADM 47. The resolution describes proposed changes including increasing counties’ retainage of real estate transfer fees from 20% to 50% while reducing the state general fund share to 30% and allocating 20% to WLIP; it also notes proposed increases in maximum WLIP base grants and training grants.
Why it matters: county land records, mapping and online property services are regularly used by homeowners, title companies and businesses; county staff said higher local funding would allow continued maintenance of software, additional aerial flights and other mapping updates without drawing on levy dollars.
What presenters told the board: the county’s land records representative, who testified before the Assembly Housing and Real Estate Committee, presented a 2024 sales‑based model showing that under the proposed split the county’s general fund share of transfer‑fee receipts would rise from about $121,958 to roughly $203,263 based on 2024 sales figures, and that WLIP allocations would also increase. The presenter said the county’s land information website has seen a 44% increase in daily users, from an average of 2,274 users per day (June 2023–June 2024) to about 3,262 users per day more recently.
Board action: Supervisor Gunner moved and Supervisor Larson seconded the resolution; the board approved it by roll call, 17‑0.
Discussion and next steps: presenters said they had briefed legislators and were meeting with representatives at the county government center the following Thursday to discuss local priorities. The resolution will be forwarded to the legislature and governor’s office as requested in the text.
