2019 Greendale Budget Rolled Out, Homeowners To See Tax Increase

GREENDALE, WI -- Officials rolled out the 2019 proposed 2019 proposed budget to Village Board members this Tuesday.

Including the revisions in taxes and fees, the 2019 Budget projects the total cost for Village services to a $228,796 assessed home to be $1,785.70. Officials say that this is a $29.93, or about a 1.8 percent, increase for the same home last year.

Officials also say the 2019 Budget represents a monthly cost of $148.81 per month to cover all Village service costs except Water and sewer utilities, and including police, fire, garbage collection, snow plowing, street lighting, and more.

Village Manager Todd Michaels said the budget is facing a variety of challenges and also some needed relief. Among the challenges cited by Michaels included rising inflation, greater infrastructure needs, and equipment replacement costs.

Michaels said the Village is saving money because of Wisconsin Act 10 and Act 32 which is the Biennial Budget Bill. Michaels also said that increases in Village investment income and building permit fees have helped to balance the budget.

Michaels said his goal was to use the minimum amount of fund balance - effectively a reserve fund held by the village to help manage unexpected costs or revenue shortfalls - to improve the Village's infrastructure and needed equipment upgrades while maintaining core services.

"I am pleased to say that the 2019 Recommended Budget meets these goals. The Budget presented
increases the tax levy by 1.8 percent, the State imposed levy limit is estimated at 2.7 percent, while using a manageable amount of fund balance. Since the year 2008 the Village’s tax levy has increased on average 1.08 percent. Additional property tax revenue will be collected by the Village’s four tax incremental financing districts," Michaels said in his budget address Tuesday night.

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