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COMMON COUNCIL Minutes - 10/23/2017 Approved CITY OF MUSKEGO COMMON COUNCIL MINUTES October 23, 2017 6:00 PM Muskego City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue CALL TO ORDER Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Those present recited the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Aldermen Hammel, Borgman, Engelhardt, Kubacki and Madden. Also present: Finance and Administration Director Mueller, Accountant Mustapich and Interim Library Director Saylor. Absent: Aldermen Wolfe and Kapusta. STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE Ms. Mustapich stated that the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law. PUBLIC HEARING To hear any citizen on the proposed 2018 City Budget. Mayor Chiaverotti declared the hearing open. No citizens were present. Director Mueller reviewed highlights of the proposed 2018 budget with the use of a Power Point presentation. For the past several years, the Mayor, Committee of the Whole and staff have successfully established and implemented several shared comprehensive goals. She noted that staff periodically evaluates various methods to enhance services, create efficiencies, and utilize advances in technology. The consolidation of the Public Works and Community Development Departments was one of several budget objectives. Director Mueller stated that the equalized value increased by 7% reaching a value of approximately $3 billion. The proposed tax levy reflects a minimal increase of 1.65% and is within the State mandated levy limit of 1.82% net new growth. This allowed for a calculated City tax rate decrease of $0.46 as compared to the 2017 rate. This is the fourth consecutive year that the City tax rate was reduced. Of the total $12.6 million tax levy, $2.1 million is dedicated for principle and interest payments and $10.5 million will fund expenditures for basic operations in the general fund, which is proposed at $15.5 million. Ms. Mustapich reviewed the Debt Service Fund. For the current year, the City's total principle balance outstanding is $30 million, of which $10.8 million or 36% is tax incremental debt outstanding leaving a debt capacity limit of $118 million. The current 2017 budget projection reflects $18 million of new debt issuance for the purpose of funding the current facility projects, a volunteer fire department vehicle and three major upcoming road improvement projects. Due to a sound pace of amortization with future borrowing plans, healthy reserves and affordable debt levels, projections continue to indicate that the new debt should not have any impact to the tax levy. She also reviewed the Special Revenue Fund Expenditures. Finally, Common Council Minutes 2 October 23, 2017 the 2018 Capital Budget Projects are proposed at $14.6 million. In summary, Ms. Mustapich stated the overall General Operating and Debt Service budgets combined include a proposed tax rate of $4.41/$1,000 of assessed value, a tax levy of $12.6 million and combined expenditures of $18.4 million, all of which will be considered for approval at the October 24, 2017 Common Council meeting. The Mayor declared the hearing closed. ADJOURNMENT Alderman Kubacki made a motion to adjourn at 6:08 p.m. Alderman Engelhardt seconded; motion carried. Minutes transcribed by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk.