By JAMES KATES / Capstone Editor

The robust real-estate market in Jefferson County is pushing property values up, meaning that the county can lower its tax rate while still managing to collect a bit more in tax revenue.

The County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday got its first look at the proposed county budget for 2019. The county’s total tax levy will be about $29,650,000, up about $325,000 from 2018.

The county’s tax rate will fall by 16 cents per $1,000 of equalized valuation, about a 4 percent drop from 2018.

After peaking at 4.392 mills in 2015, the proposed countywide tax rate for 2019 is 3.991 mills, meaning that the county property tax on a home assessed at $150,000 would be $598.65.

Overall, the county is looking at spending just over $81 million, as compared with $72.3 million this year. That sharp increase comes from several one-time projects funded mostly by state and federal dollars.

The county’s only debt is $14.2 million remaining on the new highway shop on County Highway W on the outskirts of Jefferson.

“Structurally, we’re in pretty good shape,” County Board Chair Jim Schroeder told reporters before the meeting.

Some counties take on debt to pay for road maintenance, “but that’s a death spiral,” Schroeder added. “We could have gone on a spending spree, but we haven’t.”

Special items proposed for 2019 include road work on County Highways A and B, improvements to the law-enforcement and emergency communication system, recreation trail construction and reclamation of the old highway shop site off Puerner Street in Jefferson for new development.

The county hopes to collect $6.325 million on its 0.5 percent sales tax in 2019, possibly more if the economy keeps humming and residents have discretionary income, County Administrator Ben Wehmeier said.

A public hearing on the proposed budget will be held at the County Board’s meeting Oct. 23 at the courthouse, beginning at 7 p.m. The full budget document is available at the county’s Web site, www.jeffersoncountywi.gov.

In the meantime, supervisors may propose budget amendments in writing or at meetings. Final approval of the budget is slated for the County Board meeting on Nov. 13.

In other action Tuesday:

• Supervisors voted to sell the old Highway Department satellite shop in Lake Mills to Chandler White, doing business as CRW Co. LLC, for $60,000.
• “Here’s a Quarter, Call Someone Who Cares.” That hit song by Travis Tritt sums up the county’s response to a woman who sought a refund after the country music star’s July 13 show at the Jefferson County Fair was canceled due to bad weather. The county denied a claim of $96.40 by Jeanne Vonachen, who had VIP seats for the concert. A disclaimer on the tickets stated that no refunds would be given for adverse weather.
• The board approved a resolution declaring Oct. 7-13 as National 4-H Week in Jefferson County.
• Supervisors approved the spending of $887,234.84 for 12 Model International HV613 quad-axle trucks from Lakeside International and $1,187,520 for equipment and set-up for those trucks from Monroe Truck Equipment. The trucks will allow the Highway Department to spread brine, rather than rock salt, on winter roads, which is expected to save money.
• The county recorded a resolution in remembrance of former County Supervisor Leon Zimdars, who died Aug. 29 at the age of 97.