Lake Property a $4 Million Eye-Catcher in Muskego 2012 Budget

More residents came out to speak against items in the budget during Tuesday night's Common Council meeting atthan during the Monday public hearing, and it's likely word of a $4 million line item titled "Lake Property Purchase" was what drew them out.

Finance Director Sharon Mueller continually stressed that the total in the budget for the possible lake property purchase was not part of $14.5 million in borrowing and the purchase was "subject to council approval." However, the seemingly sudden appearance of the item in writing on the capital expenditure summary spreadsheet was enough for many who already felt the city's spending has been less than transparent.

While the property's value has yet to be determined from an appraisal approved earlier by the council (another 4-3 vote), Mueller said the expense had to be listed as the city had already begun the action for a purchase of the land.  However, she explained, no purchase has been decided, and the language on the resolution had "indicated that it was subject to further committee review and council approval."

Alderman Kert Harenda, who had initiated the question of how the project would be funded, was obviously frustrated over the changes in numbers to other projects as well. However, Mueller pointed out that revised budgets were issued throughout the process, which began in mid-August, and changes are not unusual in any budget process.