The Whitewater Common Council debated an increase in fines related to damage of landmark properties on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n
Previously, the fines for damage to a landmark property through vandalism or theft was not less than $450 nor more than $700. The proposed ordinance would increase this fine to not less than $1,000, not including the cost of damages to the property.<\/p>\n
The ordinance would relate to both public landmarks, such as the Whitewater Effigy Mounds Preserve, and privately owned historical houses.<\/p>\n
The debate that ensued raised questions about the fairness of the increased fines.<\/p>\n
Councilman Lynn Binnie hinted at the \u201c\u2026possible unintended consequences\u2026\u201d that could go along with people unknowingly damaging a landmark.<\/p>\n
The council discussed the potential consequences and looked for a way to use the proposed fines as a preventative to discourage vandalism and theft in the first place. The biggest concern was on how to make people aware of the new fine.<\/p>\n
Many of the council members agreed that all landmarks, public and private, must have proper signage distinguishing them from other buildings and houses within the city. According to Pat Blackmer, a member of the Landmark Committee, all privately owned historic houses have a boulder with a plaque noting them as a historical landmark.<\/p>\n
“Someone committing vandalism is not looking for a sign,” said Councilman Jimmy Schulgit.<\/p>\n
Schulgit proposed the ordinance at an earlier date, according the Binnie, and was in favor of it despite hesitation by other council members.<\/p>\n
This ordinance was tabled for a later date after debate. It was concluded that more research needed to be done on the topic.<\/p>\n
Despite the proposed amendment being tabled, the increase in the fine for damage to landmarks is following a trend that started during the Sept. 4 meeting related to the increasing of fines for many other offences.<\/p>\n
The Sept. 4 meeting discussed the possibility of raising the fines for a variety of offences from disobeying a police officer to trespassing. All the fines discussed in the meeting were tabled for a later date.<\/p>\n
The increase in the fine for damage to landmarks will be included in this later discussion.<\/p>\n
Council budget review<\/strong><\/p>\n City Manager Cameron Clapper introduced the proposed 2019 city budget on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n The proposed 2019 budget will be $26,259,403, with a general fund of $9,658,650.<\/p>\n The operating budget will include a property tax levy of $3,838,047. This is an increase from the 2018 budget by $364,247. The increase comes from the loss of $312,771 in one-time funds used in the 2018 budget.<\/p>\n The city will also receive a decrease in state funding for shared municipal services.<\/p>\n These are services provided by the city and used by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, such as emergency services and the use of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. All cities in Wisconsin with a UW campus receive this funding.<\/p>\n While the city should expect a payment of $281,417 for the services, the actual payment will be about 38 percent of that amount, according to Clapper.<\/p>\n \u201c[The reduced funding] concentrates the reliance on other local property owners to carry the cost of providing municipal services,\u201d Clapper said. \u201cWhich adds to the overall local property tax.\u201d<\/p>\n There were seven major capital projects Clapper mentioned in the 2019 budget. The Milwaukee Street reconstruction, the Old Mill Dam repairs, a new self-contained breathing apparatus for the fire station and a water main replacement on Ann Street were considered \u201ccore\u201d items. Street light replacements, lake drawdowns and dredging, and construction on the Cravath Lake Amphitheater were included to \u201c\u2026enhance existing services.\u201d<\/p>\n The budget presented Tuesday night is only a proposed budget. The Finance Committee will meet publicly on Oct. 4, 11 and 18 to review the 2019 budget.<\/p>\n A presentation of the changes will be given during the Nov. 8 meeting. The budget will likely be approved at the public hearing on Nov. 20.<\/p>\n In other action, the Common Council on Tuesday:<\/p>\n The Whitewater Common Council debated an increase in fines related to damage of landmark properties on Tuesday night. Previously, the fines for damage to a landmark property through vandalism or theft was not less than $450 nor more than $700. The proposed ordinance would increase this fine to not less than $1,000, not including the … <\/p>\n\n