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November 14, 2006 2007 Budget Hearing
Budget Hearing 2007, November 14, 2006 and Special Mtg of Electors Chairman Jeff Long called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and began by reading the Notice of Budget Hearing, which was posted in the Lakeland Times Newspaper. Also present were Supervisors Jay Christgau and David Schuenemann, Clerk/Treasurer Lois Smith and 35 residents/electors and 5 non-residents/taxpayers. Chairman Long began by reviewing the 2007 budget by line item. He started reviewing the 2007 revenue. With the savings from not filling the police officer position until April/May 2007 has allowed the town to stay within the 2% levy limit set by the state. He stated the elected position salaries (clerk, town chairman, supervisors) will be addressed at the special meeting following this hearing. There were no great changes in revenues from the 2006 budget. Chairman Long then reviewed the expenditures for 2007. The savings for the police officer position amount to about $35,000 with the reduction in salary, retirement and health insurance. The road (Old K) in front of the post office and churches will be replaced. It is going to cost more than anticipated because of storm sewers and replacement of sidewalks. The state TRIP fund reimburses approximately $26,331 And the balance will be out of the 2007 budget. The total cost is approximately $110,000. When the downtown project was done, some room tax funds were used. The board may again entertain the idea of using some room tax funds for the project. The board is also looking at getting started on some long roads – Oswego Fishtrap and Ridge Lane. Some re-grinding may be done on parts of those roads in 2007. The Winter Park project is be advertised for bids and may be completed in 2006 and maybe not until may-june of 2007. Chairman Long explained the insertion of $2000 addition to the misc. category for the aquatic invasive species. John Winkleman, member of Gresham Lakes Association stated the DNR needs a management plan to treat Eurasian milfore in the lakes. The plan could cost up to $37,000. The DNR would put up 75% and the lakes’ association would be responsible for the balance. This is an ongoing problem for all lakes. It it hits your lake, you can’t swim, fish or boat. The Gresham Lakes run into the Trout River and that goes to the Manitowish Chain. Aquatic invasive species were found in one of the lakes two years ago and some treatment was done, but it is again in the lake and the DNR will not issue a permit to the association until a management plan is in place. The association is working with Vilas County and WI DNR. Chairman Long stated the money budgeted for will not go to one particular lake association, but is there to assist them. If any money remains at the end of the year, it will be designated for that purpose for future costs. Chairman Long asked if there were any further questions on the 2007 budget. MOTION/JOHN WINKLEMAN: SECOND/JUNE CLENDENING: To adopt the 2007 budget as presented - $ 1,089,268.10. MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of ayes. There were no nays. MOTION/TOM SOMMERFELD: SECOND/JOHN SCAPES: To adjourn the budget hearing at 8:00 p.m. MOTION CARRIED with ayes vote. No opposition. Special Town Meeting of Electors following the 2007 Budget Hearing on November 14, 2006. Chairman Jeff Long called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. and read the Notice of Special Town Meeting pursuant to Section 60.12(1)(c) of WI Statutes. All in attendance remained for this meeting which followed the 2007 budget hearing. Chairman Long read the notice and the agenda. MOTION/PETE CLENDENING: SECOND/ELINOR SOMMERFELD: To accept the agenda as presented. MOTION CARRIED with an ayes vote. There were no nays. Chairman Long began by reviewing the elected position salaries as follows: Chairman: $22,100, Town Clerk: $31,000 and Supervisors: $7500 ($3750 ea). Chairman Long stated one thing they would like to review is the Town Clerk/Treasurer Position: – In the budget the position was approved for $31,000. With the change of work load, the board suggested taking that up to $32,500. That is $1500 more than the board had originally placed in the 2007 budget. Chairman Long explained the boards’ position on the increase. He stated that the outside requests of public records has increased substantially and along with this came intimidation in the form of a newspaper article from a group of citizens who say they represent the people but are not elected. Supervisor Christgau stated that from his involvement in two different school districts, the $32,500 would be significantly less than the office managers who would be working the same number of hours and have similar responsibilities but maybe not the same amount of pressure and definitely they have more support from other people in the office. Lengthy discussion ensued about the increase. Supervisor Christgau also felt it was necessary to advise the electors that the money for an increase would be taken from the highway line item of the budget. MOTION/JIM GALLOWAY: SECOND/JOHN SCAPES: To increase the town clerk/treasurer’s salary to $34,500. Discussion: E. Sommerfeld felt that for the 2008 budget, the board take a look at hiring at a lower level wage for someone to come in and do the research and copying of public records; therefore allowing the clerk to do her other jobs. Chairman Longs informed group the deputy clerk/treasurer line item was increased $500. Further discussion ensued about the increase. Supervisor Christgau stated the workload in general is increasing and referred to elections and how they have changed and what the clerk is responsible for in the office. Jim Galloway withdrew his motion increasing the salary to $34,500. MOTION/DENNIS WESTPHAL: SECOND/JOHN SCAPES: To increase the clerk/treasurer salary to $35,000 annually for the next two year term. Voice vote of ayes approved motion. There were no voice votes of nays. MOTION CARRIED. Chairman stated the town chairman’s salary for 2007 budget is $22,100. MOTION/ROGER SAMUELSON: SECOND/GIL GRAVELLE: To set the chairman’s salary at $22,100. MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of ayes. The supervisor’s salary for 2007 is $7500 or $3750 for each supervisor. MOTION/ROGER SAMUELSON: SECOND/JOHN SCAPES: To approve the supervisor’s salary at $7500. MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of ayes. The next order of business is to approve the total 2007 highway expenditures pursuant to Section 82.03 of WI Statutes. We are allowed to spend up to $5000 a mile and having 90 miles of roads giving us a total of $450,000. Chairman Long would like to see the town board authorized to spend up to $550,000. MOTION/TOM SOMMERFELD: SECOND/JOHN SCAPES: To approve the highway expenditures at $550,000 for 2007 budget year. MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of ayes. There was no voice vote of nays. Chairman requested a motion to adopt the 2007 town tax levy to be paid in 2006/2007 pursuant to Section 60.10(1)(a) of WI Statutes. MOTION/TOM SOMMERFELD: SECOND/PETE CLENDENING: To set the tax levy at $673,432.39. MOTION CARRIED with a voice vote of ayes. There were no nay voice votes of opposition. Chairman Long thanked the electors for their support at all the meetings in the last year and asked for their continued support for future meetings; and the love that they show to their community and the board to deal with whatever comes at them effectively with you at their side. MOTION/TOM SOMMERFELD: SECOND/PETE CLENDENING: To adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. MOTION CARRIED with voice vote of ayes. No voice votes of opposition. Respectfully submitted, Lois J. Smith Clerk/Treasurer