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Town of Kewaskum voters pass lean budget
Voters say no to $50,000 increase for roadwork
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By Andrew Kuehl
11/19/07 TOWN of KEWASKUM- Over 25 town residents were in attendance at a special budget hearing for the township on Monday, November 12 where they needed to decide on going above governor Jim Doyle’s allowed 3.86% budget increase for townships across the state. An overwhelming majority voted against the measure.
Town supervisors hoped for the increase, the first since 1992, to help the town continue to repair roads, pay for the reassessment of all property in the township and help offset the cost of the bridge reconstruction on Town Line Road in the township. Supervisor Allen Hron also reminded residents that over $8,000 annually leaves the town coffers because of annexations to the village of Kewaskum. “We’ve lost a significant amount of land since 2003,” he announced.
Town Treasurer Dan Stoffel stated that the township has begun working with the village to try and recoup some of the funds lost due to annexations through a state statute that requires the village to pay the town for five years, the township’s tax revenue lost on such parcels after May of 2004.
Village of Kewaskum Treasurer Janet Knops stated on Tuesday, the village is soon prepared to issue a check to the town for $7,704.08. This money is from annexations in the village’s Tax Incremental Finance District for tax years 2005-2006.
Stoffel reported that he had just recently been made aware of the statute and was working with the village to receive the payments more timely in the future.
“We can stay at two percent increase in the levy, but services will be cut back. This all depends on what level of work you want. There are towns that don’t send snowplows out until 7 a.m. some go at 3 a.m. so the roads are clear for busses, it’s up to you,” Stoffel told the audience.
According to Stoffel, the increase would have added an additional $200 to the tax bill of a property owner with $200,000 of property value.
Dettwiler swiftly made a motion to accept the $470,651.48 balanced budget reflecting a two percent increase in the levy. Her motion received a second from David Atkins. The vote came down with 20 residents voting in favor of the two percent increase, two voting against and six abstaining.
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