Fredonia board approves 22% levy hike

Last week, the Fredonia Village Board approved a $1.8 million budget for next year that includes a 22% increase in the property tax levy, from $890,000 to $1.1 million, and a tax rate of $5.07 per $1,000 in assessed valuation.

The tax rate will be $1.46 less than this year’s, largely due to a significant increase in property values.

The village tax for a $300,000 home would theoretically decrease from $1,959 to $1,521, but the increase in home values means many residents will see their tax bill remain the same or increase.

The value of the average home in the village increased by nearly 50% because of a reassessment this year. It was the first reassessment since 2008.

The tax levy grew by 0.67% from new construction. In November, voters approved a $200,000 levy increase to fund paramedic services.

The budget proposes levying about $370,000 to go towards debt payments for public works projects last year and fire department repayments.

The capital improvements budget includes $50,000 in funding to replace the marshal’s office roof.

It also includes $155,000 for a new chase vehicle and saving for a new ambulance, along with $202,500 in street and highway equipment and $307,000 for engineering and paving of Wenzel Road and the Marie Kraus parking lot.