Village tax levy to tick up but rate expected to remain flat

The Village of Fredonia’s 2027 tax levy is expected to increase slightly, but the tax rate is projected to remain nearly the same as this year.

Village Administrator Christophe Jenkins presented a draft of the budget to the Village Board this month.

The estimated levy is $1.419 million, up nearly $30,000 (2%) from this year’s levy of $1.391 million.

The tax rate is expected to remain at or near $5.07 per $1,000 of assessed value. That means the owner of a $400,000 home would pay around $2,000 in village taxes.

“Despite inflation, rising utility costs, insurance premiums and equipment expenses, the proposed budget keeps general government spending increases to just 1%,” Jenkins said. “Public Works spending decreases 5% and parks spending decreases 15%, while continuing to support maintenance and staff needs.”

Part of the reason for the decrease in parks and recreation spending is due to the development of a new fund.

“The Parks and Recreation Enterprise Fund allows us to segregate donations, which we intake yearly for these expenses, and event revenues. Then, in turn, they are able to grow and support these operations on their own,” Jenkins said.

“General parks maintenance is still covered under the general fund, but new amenities and event operations are supported solely through grants, event income and our generous donors.”

Village departments, he said, limited their spending requests so the village could devote more money to capital improvement projects, such as paying for the milling and overlay of Fillmore Street with $120,000 cash.

Water rates are expected to increase by 3% as allowed by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.

Sewer rates are going up by 25% in preparation for a wastewater treatment plant upgrade.

The budget includes $142,000 for the joint advanced life support paramedic program with the towns of Fredonia and Belgium and the Village of Belgium.

The public hearing on the budget is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. The board is likely to approve the budget at its meeting that night.