Tuesday, November 17, 2009

City of West Bend Passes Budget

Good for them!

West Bend’s Common Council approved a zero percent increase in the assessed value tax rate and a 2.94 percent increase in the tax levy as part of the city’s 2010 budget Monday night.

   [...]

   Overall, the 2010 budget represents a 0.38 percent increase over the current year.

   An increase in the city’s equalized value, mostly from new property development, meant a 2.95 percent boost in the tax levy to $19.87 million.

   Although cost cutting occurred in a number of departments, City Administrator Dennis Melvin said in a memo to Mayor Kristine Deiss and members of the Common Council that there would be no changes in service due to position cuts.

   Melvin wrote that most of the city’s budgeted expenses are related to personnel costs and to keep the tax rate the same, cost cutting involved cutting positions in a number of departments.

My understanding is that there weren’t any citizens at the meeting.  That’s a shame.  In any case, good for the council for doing right by the citizens of West Bend.

(8) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1703 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Good leadership steps up and delivers in a crisis.
    I only wish we had a taste of this mentality at the state and federal level.
    Thanks to everyone who worked so hard its much appreciated.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 17, 2009 at 1938 hrs


  2. Kudos to the City of West Bend. Totally agree with the comments on leadership, but I will just add that the quality of the individual employed as City or Village Administrator makes a huge difference. I don’t know that many people realize that. Certainly, strong elected officials are key as well, but from what I have read and know of personally, municipalities with strong staff leadership have not only been able to pass their budgets more quickly, but the overall tax impact has generally been more reasonable. My first-hand experience is as an Village Board/City Council member not as a staff member.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2009 at 0032 hrs


  3. Some of the unions in the city like the Police and Fire Departments gave back their negotiated 2010 raises to help the city make the budget.  This is a refreshing change and it’s good to know at least some governmental agencies are getting it.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2009 at 0055 hrs


  4. Specified gripping interpret and information, thanks for intercourse this move, I’ve already bookmarked your diary. I can see that you are putting a lot of measure and endeavour into your blog and elaborated articles! I am deeply in jazz with every unary piece of entropy you move here. Present be game ofttimes to see writer updates.

    Posted by Procerin Reviews on November 18, 2009 at 1303 hrs


  5. 2.94 percent increase in the tax levy?  Good for them?  Owen, you bashed the school district and demanded they have a 0% levy and then you give the city a pass with three words.  A summary of police and fire contracts was in the paper today. We’ll never see you turn your inquiring mind on them.  Pass, Pass, Pass.

    How much you rakin in for ammo and books adds, Puff Adder?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 18, 2009 at 1811 hrs


  6. Anonymous…you must either be a school board member or a teacher!  So what’s wrong with Owen trying to “make” some money here.  Anonymous, I suppose you think Owen owes you and your liberal friends 60% of what he makes and that it should be redistributed.  If you don’t like the ads, go to a different blog!  Oh!  But what’s that?  This blog is just to good and much of what you hear is “truth” you won’t here from your “liberal” friends and their media sources.  I figured such.  Keep on reading friend!  It’s good stuff.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 19, 2009 at 1605 hrs


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    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on November 23, 2009 at 0435 hrs


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