Village Residents To Comment On 3 Percent Property Tax Hike

At their annual Budget Hearing Monday, Nov. 30, Wausaukee village residents will be asked to consider a 2010 budget that includes a 3 percent increase in the village property tax levy. The village tax levy was decreased every year for the last three years, but as Village President Jeff Townsend commented, “What we have here is a working budget for the first time in years.”

The board had just spent an hour working on their budget, which has been under construction at committee and board meetings for several months. With the 3 percent increase the levy will rise from $170,319 for 2009 to $175,428 for 2010, but this is still down considerably from the $190,000 levied for 2008.

After the hearing the board will vote on adoption of the budget. Budget details may be viewed in the Village clerk’s office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

The board also approved a 3.8 percent increase in water rates to cover operating costs of the water and sewer utility. Trustee Rosie Figas commented that in May of 2008 they lowered water and sewer rates by 20 percent, “and in retrospect we probably shouldn’t have done that....Now we’re asking for 3.8 percent of it back.”

The 3.8 percent increase, effective Jan. 1, 2010, comes to $2,100. It is the sewer half of the utility that has been losing money, but water rates can be increased without going through the Public Service Commission and sewer rates cannot, Figas explained.

Even with the rate increase, the budget projects a $25,000 operating loss for the utility. Townsend suggested wage expenses may be a bit high, but Figas, who chairs the Water and Sewer Committee, disagreed. She said most of the utility operating budget is for fixed expenses, “but we may be able to reduce costs a bit by being creative.”

“Hopefully we’ll come in under budget...That’s what we have to work for all next year,” Figas commented of both the general village budget and the utilities budget.

Figas noted in the last few years the village has paid off about half a million of debts, and saved interest that would otherwise have needed to be paid.

Of the proposed budget for this year, she suggested, “I think it’s important that we stick to our guns on this and see if we can run the village a little cheaper.”

Figas said in addition they must begin planning for some utility replacements and repairs. Trustee Hilbert Radtke agreed their equipment is getting older. Figas said the water tower will need about $130,000 in repairs, and the proposed 2010 budget includes $17,500 for repairs that absolutely must be done.

Earlier in the meeting the board had discussed the possibility of stimulus funds after a suggestion from Trustee Kellen Stumbris. They agreed to make up a “wish list” and submit grant applications.

There had been hopes the village could be debt free after the shared revenue payment comes in, but apparently that will not happen. Radtke commented that might not be all bad. “In the world of politics, sadly, if you’re in debt it’s easier to get the grants.” Hartnell agreed, and added that Marinette County communities get special consideration anyway for grants and loans because it is considered a distressed area, particularly in the north. She asked the board if they have considered a State Trust Fund loan to finance some projects.

Treasurer Sara Pullen said basically after the bills are paid she will have $48,000 to work with until the end of the year.

The board approved a proposed budget calling for expenditures of $430,048 for the year, up just 1.95 percent from the $421,831 budgeted for 2009.

To encourage village residents and business laces to decorate for Christmas the board is again holding a decorating contest. Judging is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 16. The board decided to provide a traveling trophy for the best decorated business place, and to award cash prizes of $100, $75 and $50 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places for the best decorated homes.

The Wausaukee Public Library is in its new home on Hwy. 41, and Joellen Simpson, on behalf of Friends of the Library, invited everyone to stop over to see it. There will be an open house after the holidays, but meanwhile, Simpson is in charge of a silent auction to help offset expenses. Trustee Julie Parkansky said she has heard many wonderful comments from people who like the new facility and its new location.

By unanimous vote the board approved a request that the Wausaukee American Legion be allowed to use the old library building until someone buys it or a profitable renter agreeable to both the town and village is found. The request was brought to the board by Mike Gavigan, who chairs the Legion’s fund raising committee. He said the Legion would maintain insurance coverage, immediately winterize the building, disconnect all utilities, and in all respects take good care of the building and treat it as their own and obtain all necessary licenses for events that may be held there.

In a letter to the board Gavigan had explained that after having a food booth on the Marinette County Fair Grounds for decades, the Legion has voted not to renew the lease for 2010. “We would definitely use the old library building then (during the Fair) and for other functions as they arose,” Gavigan said.

Pullen thanked Ann Hartnell for donating a “really, really nice scanner” for the village office.

Hartnell attended the meeting as a representative of the village’s Economic Development Committee. She had received a call the previous day from Annette Weisbach of the EPA advising her the village may be eligible for contaminant assessment funds for the old school as a suspected “Brownfields” site. She also had a letter explaining that they should be eligible for other grants. According to the letter, the range of projects eligible for EPA funding may be a little broader than the DNR. She said what is needed is a letter from the Village Board asking to be included in the funding, and response to a 4-page questionnaire. She said if successful, they could use the EPA grant for testing and “recycling” all the buildings related to the old school, and use the other (DNR) grant for demolition.

Building Inspector Peter Kruitt mentioned a program at Kansas State University through which students do Brownfields type studies at no charge to the community. The possibility will be investigated.

Radtke asked if that money could be used to reclaim the old laundromat site, and was told there is a special program for old dry cleaning sites, and the county will soon begin cleaning it up. She said John Scott, who heads the county Forestry, Lands and Outdoor Recreation Committee, told her the money in that fund had run out, but it is being refunded and the work will be done.

While reviewing bills for payment, Trustee Stumbris had some questions on the high cost of this year’s audit. Pullen explained the bill was for audits of both 2007 and 2008, and it had taken that long to get them done. She also needed a lot of consultation to set up a new accounting system. “I needed a lot of help to fix what was broken,” she commented.

Plans for a village ice rink are still in progress, but apparently it will not be located on the tennis courts at Evergreen Park, at least for this year, due to the cost of lighting. Trustee John Ranallo reported the “Pumpkin Ball” tournament raised about $800 toward cost of the rink, and he and Townsend planned to get together and decide where to put it.

Trustee Randy Schmidt said he had obtained quotes from WPS for electric service to the tennis courts. he said it is too far to simply run an underground service from an existing pole. It would cost $5,152 to get a new electric service at the tennis courts, plus $6,000 for winter construction, and then $33.34 per month for lights from the east side of the tennis courts. “I don’t think we have that kind of money in the budget,” he said.

Clerk Toshia Ranallo said there was a quote from Inlet Electric of $1,372 for private service involving one 150 watt light.

“Down the road, the tennis court is the most visual spot we have, the best spot for the ice rink, and down the road we have to get lights there,” Trustee Ranallo commented. He added that perhaps for this year they should just buy the liner and put the rink on the infield at the ball park, where there are already lights.

Parkansky suggested they could also use the concession stand there.

Schmidt said last year the Fair Board said they did not want the village rink there.

The board agreed to a suggestion from Ranallo that they put the rink at the ball field, and let the Baseball Association decide whether or not they can use the lights and how they will be paid for. Clerk Ranallo said they will raise additional money for the rink at a Winter Daze celebration that is being planned.

The board was told the six missing tables from Evergreen Park “are still gone.” Radtke has a name of a person who was last seen with them. Meanwhile, Gavigan passed along the good word that the Legion will not only build six new tables for the village, they will provide the material as well. The board accepted the offer with thanks.

The board accepted a proposal to reroute the snowmobile trail off Cedar Street and on to Fugate Road. Radtke asked that a full map of routes through the village be brought to the board at their December meeting.

On advice of the League of Municipalities insurance company the board voted unanimously to deny a claim from Gary Carter for damage to his vehicle. Townsend commented there is no evidence of any driver on the village lawn mower operating it inappropriately, and he felt it is doubtful it threw rocks onto the Carter vehicle.

The bid from DeLaet was again the only one received for snowplowing in the village, and price is basically the same as it was last year. Board approval was unanimous.

An operator’s license was approved for Jamie Stepien to work at Citgo.

A permit to put up a metal fence was approved for Karen Betts.

Figas was reappointed as village representative to Wausaukee Housing Authority.

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