Lower Property Values, Hwy. 33 Costs Impact Saukville's Tax Rate

Through a number of eliminated village positions and consolidated services, the Saukville Village Board was able to approve a decreased overall budget for 2012 — but decreased property values means the tax rate will pack a bigger punch for homeowners.

The 2012 budget is $3.3 million, down 3.3 percent from 2011. The total levy increased by only 1.37 percent, with the total levy ringing in at $2,653,515.

"We are slightly above the other years, but it’s not dramatic," Village President Barb Dickmann said.

The tax rate, however, increased to $6.76 per $1,000 of property value, up 5.6 percent from $6.40 in 2011. This means a homeowner with a property value of $200,000 will pay $72 more in village taxes in 2012 than in 2011.

Village Administrator Dawn Wagner said village officials did everything they could to be fiscally responsible in preparing the budget, but there were still two main factors that ultimately contributed to the increased tax rate.

"With the devaluation of the community as well as the increase in the debt service ... that’s why we’re seeing the increase in the tax rate," Wagner said.

The village saw a 4 percent decrease in its assessed valuation, she said, and the had a "substantial" impact on the village's debt services.

The changes to village services and structure that contributed to the balanced budget, according to Wagner, include:

• Elimination of a dispatcher position for a savings of about $9,000;
• Elimination of a second custodian for a savings of $25,900;
• Not immediately filling another custodian position for a savings of $14,000;
• and other similar moves for a savings of $46,000;
• Staffing and hour reductions at the for a savings of about $18,000;
• After the resignation of the recreation director, the village chose not to fill that part-time position and instead contracted with the Port Washington Parks & Rec department and partnered with the YMCA for youth programming for a savings of $13,300.

But just because the budget is approved doesn't mean the work is over, Wagner said.

"We are going to continue to look at the organization (of the village) to increase efficiencies," Wagner said.

Roy Wilhelm, director of Public Works for the village and the only resident who attended Tuesday night's public meeting, shared his positive feedback for the board's work.

"My family and I, we are very appreciative of the services that we receive from the village," Wilhelm said. "It’s value added, and I’m very grateful for that."