Oconto County Mill Rate Up 3.1 Percent

In view of higher costs of employment, fuel, insurance, capital projects, and human services costs, and lower or static revenues from timber sales and state/federal funding, the Oconto County Board at a budget hearing on Thursday, Oct. 25 approved a 3.1 percent hike in the county’s mill rate. That represents a 15.2 cent rise in the rate from $4.996 in 2012 to $5.149 for 2013.

The actual property tax levy will rise $197,687 from $17,790,125 in 2012 to $17,987.812 for 2013. That equates to a 1.1 percent increase in the levy. The different percentages of increase are mostly accounted for by the fact that the county’s equalized value fell $66,988,400, from $3.560 billion to $3.493 billion.

To achieve the balanced budget of $42,482,858, the County Board approved using $2,078,671 of Fund Balances, with the Highway Department, Health/Human Services and the County Sales Tax taking most of the hit.

According to Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann, the county is granting a 1 percent wage increase to most employees. When the longevity, or “Step,” increases are added in, this accounts for $149,000 of the $696,156 of the budget increases. One new additional part-time support staff position is also included in the budget, accounting for $34,000.

A controversial charge from the Brown County for about $125,000 was included in both the budget and the tax levy, but it wasn’t clearly defined in the budget materials if the towns and municipalities which accrued the charges would be required to pay back the county.

The largest increase to the tax levy, $412,295, comes from the Sheriff’s Department. Increased labor costs both in the department and in the jail account for most of the hike. A $25,000 error on the budget sheet was not spotted until after the budget was approved, but it will decrease the increase of the levy by the same amount.

Hamann reported a change in the way insurance plans are offered for most county employees have kept the overall health insurance rate to just a 3 percent increase for health and up 5 percent for dental. Employees are given the choice of a high deductable/lower premium plan or a low deductable/higher premium plan. As a result, Oconto County had the lowest rate of increase in this category of any county in the state.

The Highway Department budget anticipates $700,000 of equipment purchases in 2013, which will be funded by their depreciation charges.

Capital projects in the budget amount to $806,000, and will be funded by the county sales tax. The projects include $40,000 to repair the historic courthouse clock tower, $35,000 to replace the courthouse door locking system, $175,000 to replace the air conditioning in building C of the courthouse complex, $160,000 for computer equipment and systems, $185,000 for Forestry equipment, $160,000 for sheriff squad replacements, $26,000 for software programs for the sheriff’s department, and $25,000 for a mobile command vehicle for emergency management.

Prior to passage of the budget by a unanimous vote, County Finance Director Terry Hinds led a specific, detail by detail review of all the budget items.

It was postulated that the 2014 budget would be more difficult to balance and that it will continue to lead to further use of the county’s fund balance to make it work.

In other matters before the County Board, two letters were read, both from the Wisconsin Counties Mutual Insurance Company, acknowledging that the Oconto County Sheriff’s Department and the Oconto Highway Department were accorded Honorable Mention honors when it came the company’s “Best Overall Loss Ratio” summary.

By a resolution vote of 28 to 1, the County Board also adopted a 2013-2017 Capital Improvement Plan. Supervisor Vernon Zoeller, of the Town of Abrams and part of the Town of Pensaukee, voted in the negative. While the Plan does lists is being considered for Capital Projects in the years ahead, the individual components beyond the first year are not written in stone.

A new component of the Capital Improvement Plan this year is the inclusion in the year 2017 of funding through a bond process for a new $25 million Law Enforcement Center. A financial spreadsheet through the year 2037 shows that a potential new jail could be paid by a $2 million payment from the General Fund Balance, a new 25 cent debt levy, and the rest from a sales tax-bond over the next 20 years, although it may require an $8 million balloon payment at the end of the term.

Prior to adjournment, representatives from the Oconto City Fire Department informed the board of a new Fire Prevention trailer, which is available for education use by every fire department and the Sheriff’s Department in the county. The unit, which cost about $100,000 was 95 percent paid for by grants, with only $5000 coming from local sources, all of which were donations. The trailer had a number of high-tech simulation features, and was available for inspection by the County Board after the meeting.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
06-12-2013	Front Page	NEW UNITS
06-12-2013	Front Page	Federal Court Rules Flag Was Okay
06-12-2013	Front Page	Jail Inspection Says Maintenance Needed
06-12-2013	Front Page	Goodman Father, Son Cited In Marijuana Bust
06-12-2013	Front Page	County Continues Discussion On Coroner, Elderly Services
06-12-2013	Sports	Wickman Repeats As MVP
06-12-2013	Sports	Tough Start For Marinette Legion
06-12-2013	Sports	Pitching Gem Gives Redbirds 2-0 Record
06-12-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Makes Way To State Baseball Meet
06-12-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
06-12-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
06-12-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
06-12-2013	News	Self Defense Law Topic of Meeting
06-12-2013	News	OWI Unit To Porterfield
06-12-2013	News	Yard Sale For Scholarships
06-12-2013	News	On Dean’s List
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Big Diggers at Wausaukee Library
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Parade Events on July 6
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Council At Silver Cliff
06-12-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions to Clean HWY 180 June 15
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Church Unit Sale June 20-21
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Playground Work Day June 23
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Fly Flag June 14
06-12-2013	Community - Crivitz	Gospel Music at Living Waters Church
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Timeless Restorations Car Show is June 29
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Yard Sale For Scholarships
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Resignation of Principal on School Board Agenda
06-12-2013	Community - Coleman	Pantry To Give Food in Pound
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Eugene M. Yuma
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Matthew T. Wisniewski
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Claude A. Wilcox
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Boston Z. Walters
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Thadeaus Sopkowicz
06-12-2013	Obituaries	William W. Schmitt
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Jane L. Schmidt
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Dr. Henry J. Reidinger
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Margaret Raminger
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Emma K. Parker
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Mary Ann Panske
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Douglas C. Otto
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Roland W. Neumann
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Richard Leaveck, Jr.
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Richard Leaveck, Sr.
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Sandra F. LaRock
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Bonnie Kopish
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Gertrude Klingsporn
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Dudley G. Harris
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Wayne W. Johnson
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Dottie Fricke
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Marvin Eschner
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Eleanor Crowley
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Judy Budzis
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Floyd J. Berger
06-12-2013	Obituaries	Carol C. Barrette
06-06-2013	Front Page	300 Year Old Log Makes Table, Desk
06-06-2013	Front Page	New Community Center To Open Soon in Crivitz
06-06-2013	Front Page	Yes, Family Dollar Is Coming To Coleman
06-06-2013	Front Page	Kathy Cleven Is New Marinette City Treasurer
06-06-2013	Front Page	Auditor Gives Peshtigo Clean Bill Of Health
06-06-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Cage Camps Slated
06-06-2013	Sports	Vaulting To State Gold
06-06-2013	Sports	Rangers Roll Into State Tourney
06-06-2013	Sports	———— Clip Crivitz ——————————————————————— Redbirds Turn 5 Hits Into 7-0 Wishigan Win
06-06-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
06-06-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
06-06-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
06-06-2013	News	Birding Hike at Arboretum
06-06-2013	News	Fair Premium Books Available
06-06-2013	News	Church Rummage, Bake Sale June 6
06-06-2013	News	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 June 15
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Picnic, Parade July 13
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions to Clean Hwy. 180 June 15
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lawrenz Opens Counseling Center
06-06-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Front 40 Group Forum June 12
06-06-2013	Community - Crivitz	Rev. Hannemann Retires From Area Churches
06-06-2013	Community - Crivitz	Free Fishing For Kids June 15
06-06-2013	Community - Crivitz	Community Ed Summer Classes
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Pioneer Church Offers College Bible Courses
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Wrestling Meat Raffle June 22
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Brazeau Emergency Services Picnic July 27
06-06-2013	Community - Coleman	Pound Club Sets Yard Sale June 13, 14
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Todd F. Wagner
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Michael A. Stumbris
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jacqueline A. Smith
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Betty Scott
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jimmie L. Sandifer
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Dorothy B. Rafferty
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Pandora C. Powell
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Kristopher S. Mohr
06-06-2013	Obituaries	John D. Leaveck, Sr.
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Allan J. Kamps
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Edith M. Jones
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Ellen Jensen
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Dorothy M. Hotzel
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Sophie Hertig
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jeremy Heller
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jerome D. Gillis
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Genevieve M. Giese
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Margaret A. Gartzke
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Oscar J. Falk, Jr.
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Michael T. Downs
06-06-2013	Obituaries	James A. Dughie
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Joseph F. Dudek
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jerry L. Bunn
06-06-2013	Obituaries	Jon H. Bruemmer
05-29-2013	Front Page	HOLD SERVICES
05-29-2013	Front Page	Wendt Chosen Coleman School Board President
05-29-2013	Front Page	Crivitz Pharmacy Broken Into, Medications Stolen
05-29-2013	Front Page	Preliminary Hearing Set In Peshtigo Murder Case
05-29-2013	Front Page	County Paperless Initiative Passes With Resistance
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Village Accepts Donations for July 6 Fireworks Display
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Athelstane Fund Raiser is July 13
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	STATE DENIES 5 20 13 DOT Rejects Proposal To Lower Speed On Hwy. 141
05-29-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Library Sets Reading Events
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz School Free Summer Food Meals
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Plans Bang-Up Weekend For Fourth
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Wolverine 5K Run, Walk June 1
05-29-2013	Community - Crivitz	Thompson Park Open House June 2
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Yard Sale For Scholarships
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Bonow Concert at Area Churches
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Village Board June 3
05-29-2013	Community - Coleman	Lions Honor Champ, 15 For Attendance
05-29-2013	News	Students Set Car Wash, Run
05-29-2013	News	Mudbash For Animal Shelter
05-29-2013	Sports	M-O's Best Get Booted
05-29-2013	Sports	Coleman, Wausaukee Host Finals Marquardt Tosses One-Hitter In 7-2 Win Over Crandon; Rangers
05-29-2013	Sports	Redbirds Rule In Memorial Tourney
05-29-2013	Sports	Slate Lemery Softball Tourney For June 7-8
05-29-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-29-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-29-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Roland L. Zoeller
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Dorothy M. Zahn
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Cliff J. Yuma, Sr.
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Jeffrey Woodworth, Sr.
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Alvin G. Williams
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Scott A. Wells
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Thomas R. Webster
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Elaine E. Vroman
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Ken Van Camp
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn A. Thunes
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Francis E. Steininger
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Donald L. Stroika
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Betty Scott
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Michael E. Schultz
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Violet M. Saunier
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Lesili Rose
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Ronald D. Plewa
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Bernice H. Parker
05-29-2013	Obituaries	Ida Moraga