City of Waupaca taxpayers would see a 3.73 percent tax increase under the 2015 budget being proposed.
City Administrator Henry Veleker said the proposed tax rate of $10.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation compares to the city’s present tax rate of $9.89.
Waupaca’s last four budgets did not have tax rate increases.
The proposed General Fund budget of $5.338 million compares to the city’s 2014 General Fund budget of $5.305 million.
A tax levy of $3.54 million is being proposed to support the budget. That levy is about $109,000 – or 3.1 percent – higher than the city’s current tax levy, Veleker said.
City staff presented next year’s proposed budget during the Oct. 21 meeting of the Common Council.
Mayor Brian Smith said Common Council members who have comments about the proposal should email them to Veleker or to the department heads.
Veleker said the proposed budget includes the following expenses:
• A 2.5 percent wage increase for all full-time and permanent part-time employees.
• The addition of one full-time police officer budgeted for half the year at a cost of about $21,000.
• An additional $7,000 in part-time wages for the Waupaca Area Public Library.
• A debt payment of $90,000 to fund 2015 and 2015 capital projects and equipment.
Police Chief Tim Goke said the police department has not added a position in 20 years and has been short a patrol officer since losing a police liaison officer in 2005.
He said the police department’s part time and overtime will be reduced in next year’s budget.
On the revenue side, road aids are down $45,400, Veleker said.
He said there is no change to the recreation youth agreements with area towns, so that area is budgeted at $111,347.
Library aid from the county is up about $9,700, he said.
Veleker said the proposal includes budgeting land sales at $75,000, which is a 58 percent reduction from this year.
Building permit fees are also projected to be down about 28 percent, as part of the city’s budget proposal.
A capital borrow of $1.19 million is also proposed as part of the city’s 2015 draft budget.
The borrow would fund projects in 2015 and 2016 and would include the fee for the city’s financial advisers.
The State Trust Fund would be the lender, and it would be a 10-year term.
The proposed borrow include:
• $75,000 for the Augie Austin Gym roof.
• $200,000 for road reconstruction projects in 2015. The proposed projects are West Fulton Street, from Hillcrest Drive to Western Avenue, and Hillcrest Drive, from Harrison to West Fulton streets.
• $2,5000 for a skidsteer.
• $85,000 to replace the city’s 1990 hauling truck.
• $118,000 for a new floor in the Augie Austin Gym.
• $150,000 to replace the city’s 1995 loader.
• $160,000 for city hall/library renovations.
• $200,000 for road rehabilitation in 2016.
• $40,000 for the city’s share of the airport tarmac and taxiway reconstruction.
• $10,000 for street signs.
• $30,000 toward the cost of financial/utility software.
• $20,000 for the approved grant match for the South Park Phase 2 project.
• $35,000 for a police squad car.
• $25,000 for concept planning for the downtown rehabiliation project.
There will be a public hearing on the city’s proposed 2015 budget on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The council is then expected to adopt the budget that evening.