Written by Rachel Charniak

The Whitewater Common Council discussed the proposed 2020 budget of $9.8 million, a 2.5 percent increase from last year, at its meeting on Tuesday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Whitewater Municipal Building. 

City Manager, Cameron Clapper, presented on the budget and noted that funds are being drawn from property taxes and intergovernmental revenue.  However, intergovernmental revenue is starting to decrease, and residents may be taxed more. 

Clapper said, “We try to apply the revenues we receive to funds for specific purposes.”  Revenues may be used for general government, public safety, and public works.

Following the meeting on October 1, the budget will be reviewed by the finance committee October 10-24.  Then, on November 5, it is re-presented to the Whitewater Common Council.  The public hearing and adoption is November 19. 

The Common Council discussed a few spending items within the 2020 budget.  These included Clay St. reconstruction, lakes draw down project, radio console upgrades for the police department, and the installation of an amphitheater. 

Palmyra-Eagle schools

Matthew Sylvester-Knudtson and Mark Elworthy represented Whitewater schools at the Common Council meeting and discussed what the process of dissolving the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District (PEASD) would look like.  If Palmyra-Eagle schools are dissolved, the Whitewater district would take over a section of the PEASD. 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will put together a seven-person School District Boundary Appeal Board (SDBAB) with one board member from DPI, two members from a small district, two members from a medium district, and two members from a large district.  After September 10, the appeal board will begin meeting and work to determine a solution.  Knudtson noted that “They are by statute required to make their decision by January 15.” 

If the Palmyra-Eagle school district is given permission to dissolve, it would take effect on July 1, 2020, and boundary lines would be redrawn to ensure all areas are being taken up by nearby existing districts.  If the request is not approved, Palmyra-Eagle schools would continue operations as usual.

In other Whitewater Common Council updates:

• Entertainer and comedian Charlie Berens is coming to the Young Auditorium on October 19 at 8 p.m.  Proceeds from the event are going to the Whitewater Police Department K-9 Unit.  Tickets are $15 for UW-Whitewater students, and $25 for adults. 
• Whitewater’s 29^th annual CROP walk occurred on October 6, and 25 percent of proceeds went to the Whitewater Food Pantry and UW-W Warhawk Food Pantry.  The CROP walk helps raise awareness in the Whitewater community about world hunger. 
• Anyone with expired or unwanted medications can participate in the DEA National Take-Back by taking their drugs to the Whitewater police in the Walmart parking lot on October 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to properly dispose of their medications. 
• Mark Elworthy presented the Whitewater School District Annual Report.  He discussed Jerry Award winners, Ferradermis (the robotics team) winning the Wisconsin regional competition, national FFA winners, and more. 
• Council member James Allen proposed future agendas include discussion of tarped cars on others property. 

For more information on the Whitewater Common Council, including meeting agendas, minutes, and meeting broadcasts, visit https://www.whitewater-wi.gov/308/Common-Council.