Muskego Budget Hearing Presents Opposing Views on Pioneer Drive

We were told these meetings generally do not last long, as the budget hearing does not tend to draw a great crowd unless there are contentious issues budgeted.

Spending on Janesville Road has caught no one by surprise and a zero tax levy increase was seen as good news, so comments were focused on two items that had also seen some extended debate at the Committee of the Whole.

Scott Dickmann, who had previously been a mayoral candidate, opened his remarks by saying, "It's nice to see we're looking at a zero percent increase to the tax levy - that's a positive, and from the comments I've heard we're in good financial health."

However, Dickmann was concerned over the approval of Pioneer Drive construction, and that the city was likely to dismiss two building inspectors, stating that he felt those services should not be outsourced. Instead, he felt the city's IT Director should be outsourced as the city's website was still "difficult to find information."

Presenting an opposite view, resident Bill Schneider said he felt "we were headed in the right direction," and that he was hopeful that Pioneer Drive construction and potentially the Lake park development would come to be.

A periennial commentor, Suzi Link expressed displeasure at spending on the lake park development and was concerned about the promotion of City Engineer Dave Simpson to Public Works Director/Engineer.

Sharon Mueller, Finance Director outlined the outcome of the budget sessions held at COW:

• 0 percent tax levy increase
• Total tax levy of $11.9 million, which represents a tax rate of $4.41 per thousand of assessed value ($3.62 is from the general fund levy, with the balance of 0.79 part of the debt service fund levy of $2.1 million)
• The city's portion of the tax bill will decrease by $0.02 per $1,000
• Taxes for city services on an average-valued home of $293,100 would decrease $6

In addition, Mueller pointed out that the city's available debt capacity is $96.2 million, and the city has presently $35.5 million in general obligation debt subject to that limit.

The common council will vote on the budget Tuesday at 7pm.