By Annette Newcomb~Editor
The Twin Lakes Board has opted to ratify the 2014 tax levy in the amount of $3,534,113. Approval of Resolution No. R2014-2-1 came on the heels of a paperwork error that caused the village to inadvertently report the library payment twice as part of the village levy, as well as a separate line item on the tax bill.
The excess funds will be absorbed by the contingency funds for the year.
The board also approved Resolution No. R2014-2-2 amending the 2014 budget to increase the property tax settlement and contingency of $232,080.
The error averages a $60 overpayment by village taxpayers. Reimbursement is not cost effective for the village. Because the village is already over budget for overtime and double time due to plowing operations this year, and because the village is still working through its 2013 resurfacing program, the additional money can be used to offset some of these costs.
In a memo to trustees from Village Administrator Jennifer Pollitt explained that in 2009 the village board voted to have the library levy listed separately on the tax bill. This does not mean the library is an additional taxing jurisdiction, but rather separated for information purposes only.
The levy was reported to the county for the full budget amount, which would be appropriate if the library payment had not been separated out, Pollitt said.
Pollitt said the village can decide in the fall whether to adjust the 2015 budget to offset the 2014 error. Changes have already taken place to assure this error does not occur again.
A two-thirds vote by the village board is required to amend the levy.