Category: Local government

By Brad Allen
J486 Student Reporter

JEFFERSON, WI
Although noting an outstanding debt of approximately $15 million dollars to complete repairs and cleanup of highway projects, the Jefferson County Finance Committee lauded the proposed 2019 county budget as being in better shape than in previous years.

The proposed 2019 county budget accounts for a total of about $80 million in spending. About $20 million of that was raised from a levy of property taxes, and another $6.3 million is projected to be raised throughout 2019 in sales taxes at stores and from Amazon purchases online. State revenue services also contributed to the funding efforts.

“We’re very proud of where our budget is,” Wehmeier said. “We have challenges, and we have opportunities as we look ahead, but we want to encourage others to be a part of the process.”

As Jefferson County officials look to finish paying off the debt on the highway projects and continue to offer both social and mental health services countywide, along with decreasing amounts of state-provided revenues, the proposed 2019 budget is a little higher than past years.

“Ultimately, the goal is to look at these resources not just for 2019, but for 2020 and beyond, and to ask ourselves how we can provide those services to the county,” Jefferson County Administrator Ben Wehmeier said. “One of those concerns is how we look at those issues long term. … We try to drill into everyone to look at those issues five years down the road.”

Special projects in the works include keeping Medicare and Badger Care available to residents, as well as providing necessary resources to mental health centers.

“I like to think we’re the last line of defense for people in jeopardy,” Jones said.

Some likely challenges for the county include paying off the rest of the $15 million debt and finding solutions to health crisis as the number of fatal opioid overdoses and suicides have increased since 2017.

“We have some dollars set aside for cleanup along those highways, which is why that cost is higher than usual,” Wehmeier said.

The Jefferson County Finance Committee has contacted various mental health services for cost quotes and reduced spending by $1.2 million after accounting for necessary resources, Wehmeier said.

Wehmeier added that the county intends to continue financing social resources near or at current levels because much of the population relies on medical assistance, such as senior services.

The county’s tax levy is steadily decreasing, and the mill rates are now at about 4.07 percent, a level not seen since 2008. This is partly because the housing market has bounced back since the Great Recession, and Jefferson County has a cap on how far property taxes can rise.

A public hearing on the budget will be held Oct. 23 before the County Board of Supervisors votes Nov. 13 on final approval of the proposed 2019 budget ahead of a Nov. 15 statutory deadline.

In other action during the Jefferson County Board’s Oct. 9 meeting:

• In a unanimous vote, the Board adopted a resolution to formally remember local World War II veteran Leon Zimdars, who died recently.
• The Board also unanimously signed off on the sale of the Lake Mills highway satellite shop for $60,000 to county resident Chandler White.
• Jefferson County’s Board of Supervisors also unanimously voted to deny a claim by Joanne Vonachen related to the Finance Committee.
• With all present supervisors in favor, the Board adopted a proclamation for Oct. 7 through Oct. 13 to be National 4-H Week. The county 4-H chapter is also interviewing candidates for the role of county 4-H leader this Thursday, Oct. 11.
• In a final piece of action Tuesday, the County Board agreed to spend more than $2 million in purchases to acquire a new utility truck for the Highway Department’s fleet of vehicles, along with additional truck beds, fuel tanks, hydraulic equipment and other controls to be accessible by utility crews using the new truck.

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors will meet again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 16 in the Jefferson County Courthouse.

 

By Brad Allen
J486 Student Reporter

WHITEWATER, WI
Whitewater Common Council members quibbled Tuesday, Oct. 4, over a proposed ordinance to raise the fines of vandalism of landmarks before tabling a vote in lieu of further discussion at a later meeting.

Council members Lynn Binnie (Wards 5 & 6) and Stephanie Vander Pas (Wards 10-12) expressed dissent to particular details concerning how acutely the various landmarks throughout the city are labeled and questioned whether the ordinance targeted UW-Whitewater students.

Binnie said he does not plan to oppose the ordinance that proposes raising the minimum fines of vandalism to local landmarks to $1,000, but he said he feels wary of “possible unintended consequences.”

Vander Pas questioned whether every landmark in the city – both public and private – is properly labeled as such and suggested it isn’t “fair to receive a specific citation if a landmark isn’t labeled.” She added that vandalism is “horrendously wrong,” but she said the proposed raise in fines warrants further review before a final vote.

Council member Jimmy Schulgit (Wards 7 & 8) disagreed with the dissent and calls for further review. He said “the legislation is fine as written” and that he has “no problem asking offenders to make a large donation to the city” if they choose to vandalize city or private property.

Binnie filed a motion to suggest an amendment to the ordinance that specifies publically owned landmarks regarding raises vandalism fines.

Resident Pat Blackmer, owner of a private landmark property, said the ordinance is necessary to preserving local landmarks.

“I think this needs to be enforced, because individuals are not respecting private property,” Blackmer said.

UW-Whitewater senior Analise Sandoval said the ordinance unfairly targets college students.

“Approving this too quickly could mean a lot of backlash if students can’t clearly read if something is a landmark,” Sandoval said.

Schulgit and council member James Allen (at-large) said people don’t look for signs when vandalizing property. Allen added that he does not want to give preferential treatment to students over community members.

Council member Chris Grady motioned to postpone the amendment until after budget time. The council voted 6-1 in favor or postponing the vote, with Schulgit being the lone “Nay” against the motion.

After the debate on the proposal to raise vandalism fines, City Manager Cameron Clapper presented the preliminary 2019 city budget proposal, which will be further discussed over the next several weeks before being voted on for approval.

The proposed 2019 city budget calls for a tax levy increase of about three percent. The three largest recipients of public funds in the budget are Public Safety at 36 percent of the pie, General Government at 15 percent and Public Works at 10 percent.

Because “state revenues diminish over time,” the city must tax residents higher in order to pay for city upkeep next year, Clapper said.

Also in the proposed 2019 budget, property taxes in Walworth County would go slightly up, while property taxes in Jefferson County would go slightly down.

Some major public works projects included in the proposed 2019 budget are drawing down the lake water in Cravath Lake, replacing street lights, construction on Milwaukee Street and construction of an amphitheater.

In other action at the Oct. 2 Common Council meeting, Clapper proclaimed Oct. 7 as Whitewater’s 28th annual Crop Hunger Walk Day.

Event organizer Patty Harmon said the local chapter of the Crop Hunger Walk organization has raised more than $186,000 since 1990, with about $13,548 being raised in 2017 alone. A total of 25 percent of money raised goes to the Whitewater Food Pantry.

The Common Council also approved an ordinance in a 7-0 vote that establishes a “No Parking” zone from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Church Street from Center Street to Forrest Avenue.

Before adjourning, the council members voted 7-0 to table a decision on a proposed ordinance to ban sales to and possession of electronic cigarette and vaping products to minors.

Whitewater Common Council meets again Tuesday, Oct. 9. The meeting’s agenda can be found at www.whitewater-wi.gov.