Council approves $100,000 short-term loan

By Robert Cloud

Property owners will see the city of New London’s share of their tax bill rise by less than 1% in 2022.

The New London Common Council approved a general fund levy of $3.89 million and a debt service levy of $934,000 for the city’s 2022 budget when it met on Nov. 16.

Because New London straddles two counties, tax rates vary slightly.

City Administrator Chad Hoerth told the New London Press Star that the “estimated tax rates for the Outagamie County and Waupaca County side in New London varies based on the equalized value in each county and the percentage of levy that is divided into the percentage of value.”

Since the equalized values are not the same in each county, the tax rate per $1,000 of value varies.

“The estimated city tax rate for Outagamie County will go from 9.4816 to 9.9445 and Waupaca County 9.4284 to 9.854,” Hoerth said.

This means that a $200,000 house could see a $92 increase in its city tax in Outagamie County and $85 increase in Waupaca County.

Hoerth noted that the main reason there is a change in the city’s tax rate is “due to changes between manufacturing, commercial and residential assessments. Not because of major increases to the budget.”

New London’s operating budget is expected to increase by 1.37% in 2022, mainly due to fixed costs.

The budget also includes a $100,000 short-term loan.

“The short-term loan is also not for the operating budget but to assist with capital equipment and projects,” Hoerth said, noting that the expenditures include regular replacement of equipment and for smaller projects like street patching and sidewalk replacement.

City Finance Director Judy Radke said the loan will help the city avoid depleting its capital fund reserve and keep city taxes level.

Due to the state-mandate budget, once the city lowers its levy, it is difficult to raise it again.

“Let’s maximize our levy, then we don’t lose it forever,” Ald. John Faucher said.

The council voted 9-1 to authorize borrowing $100,000, with Ald. Tim Roberts casting the dissenting vote.

Council members also voted 9-1 to approve the $3.89 million tax levy, with Roberts voting against.

Parks and Rec

Immediately prior to the Nov. 16 council meeting, the Parks and Recreation Committee held a special meeting regarding the Newton Blackmour State Trail.

The committee approved a bid from Radtke Contractors of $42,525 to remove a section of railroad tracks on New London’s east side, located west of House Road to the end of Fairview Drive.

The committee needed to approve the bid so that work could begin before the end of the year and the city could qualify for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

Parks and Rec also approved a $2,225 bid from Midwest Archaeological Consulting to conduct an archeological review of the site.

The lowest bid was for $450 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Archaeological Research Laboratory Center.

“However, they missed several necessary tasks that are required to be complete for our CDGB grant and that were spelled out in the RFP (request for proposal),” Hoerth said. “Because it was unclear what UW-M’s final cost would be to include the omitted requirements, we had to choose Midwest Archaeological Consulting.”