New London seeks funding from FEMA, state
By Robert Cloud
The July 20 storm cost the city of New London an estimated $404,599.
City Finance Director Judy Radtke presented a summary of clean-up costs at the Oct. 2 Finance Committee meeting.
The summary was part of the city’s request for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Wisconsin Disaster Fund.
Among the highest cost items were $220,586 for street and curbside pickup, $76,650 for drop-off brush sites, and $75,000 for Hatten Park.
City Administrator Lou Leone said FEMA will cover about 75% of the costs, while the state and the city will each pay about 12.5% of the total costs.
“We’re looking at roughly $50,000 that we’ll have to eat,” Leone said.
Leone noted the $404,000 figure may increase as the city continues to review its storm-related costs.
“We’re not going to see a check any time until maybe at the earliest this time next year,” Leone said.
“How is all of this financed in the interim until we get the money?” asked Ald. Tom O’Connell.
Radtke said the city has an unassigned fund balance it can tap into, as well as some funds available from its insurance reserves.
Damages covered by insurance
The city is still obtaining bids on repairing structural damages that are fully covered by its insurance.
A tree fell on a building in Franklin Park and ripped a hole in the roof and wall.
The city approved a bid of $37,704 for repairs.
Wind damaged the Hatten Stadium scoreboard and repairs will cost $3,500.
The Riveside boat launch was damaged by falling trees and will cost $4,237 to repair.
The wind tipped over and damaged a portable toilet at Memorial Park. It will cost $2,100 to repair.
The city is still obtaining quotes on the cost to repair the damaged stone wall at Hatten Park.
Insurance will also fully reimburse the city $139,810 for costs to repair utilities after the storm.
Wheel tax
Leone made a YouTube video that answers questions residents have asked him and other city officials about New London’s wheel tax.
The video is less than nine minutes long.
It can be viewed by clicking the “Wheel Tax Information” link on the home page of the city’s website.
The tax took effect on Jan. 1, 2018. It adds $20 to the annual vehicle registration fee.
Passenger cars, most SUVs, most pickups and minivans are included in the wheel tax.
Buses, motorcycles, mopeds, motorhomes, trucks over 8,000 pounds, farm trucks, antique or collector vehicles, ATVs and UTVs are exempt from the tax.
Wheel tax revenues can only be used for maintenance, reconstruction or constricting of roads, curbs, railroad intersections and sidewalks within city limits.
Depending on how extensive a road project is, it can cost between $1.3 million and $1.85 million per mile.
New London collected $141,820 in wheel tax revenues in 2018.
So far in 2019, the city has collected $76,888.
Juvenile detention center
Leone updated the Finance Committee on the juvenile detention center the state plans to build.
He said a representative of the state called him on Monday.
“She asked what would it take in order to get the property annexed into the city and how long does it normally take,” Leone said. “I kept reassuring her that we’re ready to roll as far as bringing the juvenile detection center in.”
The first step, Leone said, would be for the state to file a petition for annexation.
“After that, we can get this project moving faster on our side,” Leone said.
He estimated the project could go before the Building Committee in December and construction could start as early January 2020.