Declining valuation causes slight increase in tax rate
Officials use various cuts to keep costs under control
Bayside — The proposed 2010 village budget has no increase in the tax levy but because the valuation of the village decreased by roughly $4 million, the tax rate would increase a modest five cents from $6.61 to $6.66 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposed levy is $4.324 million. The general fund budget is up 1.2 percent to $3,550,223 from the previous $3,506,419.
Village Manager Andy Pederson said the development of the budget was difficult because of a loss of state aid and lower interest earnings, recycling and inspection revenues. In addition, some expenses, including health insurance and the village's contribution to the Wisconsin Retirement System are increasing.
A staffing reorganization at Village Hall and the permanent reduction in the police force from 14 to 12 officers because of attrition have provided savings that are found in the proposed budget. All contracts for outside services have been frozen at their 2009 amount. Wages are frozen for Pederson and other non-union village employees and the village is working on a freeze for employees represented by the three village unions.
In spite of the belt-tightening, village residents can expect to see the paving of Pelham Parkway near Bayside Middle School, which was deferred in 2009. A new refuse and recycling collection system will be introduced in May and is expected to create savings in years to come, although not in the first year because of the cost of equipment.
The Village Board has also created a stormwater utility to fund stormwater improvements in the village. The fee, which is not part of the tax bill, is charged to all property owners. A residential owner will pay $8.33 a month or roughly $100 a year to the newly established utility.
The owner of a house assessed at $354,000 would see property taxes rise by $17.64 to $2,357 if the village budget is adopted by the board.
Budget meetings
Meetings on the proposed 2010 budget - all meetings are open to the public
• 4 p.m. Nov. 12, review of the Public Works budget
• 4 p.m. Nov. 15, review of the Finance and Administration budgets
• 6 p.m. Nov. 19 public hearing on budget
WHERE: all meetings are at Village Hall, 9075 N. Regent Road
Flooding hits the North Shore
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