Salem budget proposal includes small tax increase

By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent

The Salem Town Board held its first 2017 budget workshop last week, when Administrator Pat Casey presented a plan with slight increase in the tax levy.

Casey proposed, and recommends, an overall levy increase of $85,330 from 2016, or 2.25 percent.

The mill rate (cost per thousand) could increase from .003468 in 2016 to .003507 in 2017.

General fund expenditures for 2017 are recommended to increase by $138,953 over fiscal year 2016.

Additionally, Town of Salem’s assessed value appears to show an increase, from $997 million in 2016, to more than $1 billion in 2017.

Parks Discussed
At the request of the Park Board, Casey proposed the hiring of a park and town events coordinator.

The Park Board approved the position in a previous meeting, to handle village events, including Salem Pumpkin Daze as well as Easter and Christmas activities.

However, the Town Board suggested a part-time position.

Furthermore, no hiring can occur until the potential merger of the Village of Silver Lake and Town of Salem is complete.

An increase of more than $100,000 in park expenditures includes the completion of Camp Lake Park, which is partially funded by a Stewardship Grant from the Department of Natural Resources.

The construction of the new building at Salem Oaks Park has an anticipation completion date in 2017.

The proposed splash pad for Community Park will be reviewed for a final decision.

Infrastructure Review
The town was not able to reduce the use of fund balance, which could mean the use of $74,400 to balance the general fund and limit the increase in property tax support.

Citing possible dumping at the former Highway Department in Trevor, surveillance cameras are included in the budget.

The biggest dumpers, the town alleges, could be contractors who charge residents to cut trees, and dump the brush on town property.

The proposed budget also contains over $3.5 million in collection system upgrades and plant improvements.

Casey suggested that project might be scaled back, noting the potential merger next year.

After the merger, Town of Salem utility personnel will need time to work with the Silver Lake utility personnel, learn the Silver Lake system, analyze what work may need to be done there.

The next budget workshop is scheduled for Wednesday Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. with a possible third workshop scheduled for Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. All meetings will be at the town hall.

The budget hearing and special elector’s meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 14, prior to the regular board meeting that will be held at 7 p.m.


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