City of Mequon Weekly Bulletin - November 9, 2018

Upcoming Meetings

Planning Commission: November 12 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Architectural Review Board: November 12 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Welfare Committee: November 13 – 5:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Public Works Committee: November 13 – 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Finance-Personnel Committee: November 13 – 6:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Water Utility Commission: November 13 – 7:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Sewer Utility District Commission: November 13 – 7:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Common Council: November 13 – 7:30 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: November 13 – 7:30 A.M. (Agenda)
Finance-Personnel Committee: November 20 – 6:30 P.M.
Public Welfare Committee: November 20 – 6:30 P.M.

Public Hearing Scheduled for 2019 Budget
The Common Council will hold a public hearing for the consideration of the adoption of the 2019 Budget on November 13, 2018 at 7:30 P.M.  Common Council meetings are held at City Hall and can also be viewed on Spectrum Cable Channel 25 and YouTube.

Each year the City must adopt a balanced budget which sets forth funding levels for all aspects of City operations and capital expenses with the exception of sewer and water utility funds. The following Citywide goals were prioritized in developing the 2019 budget: maintaining low property taxes, provide excellent public safety services, improve and enhance the City’s infrastructure and other long-term assets, and expand the City’s tax base through a strategic and balanced approach to economic development.  The proposed 2019 General Fund expenditures budget of $16,356,564 is 2.7% higher than the 2018 adopted budget, due primarily to increases in personnel costs.  A summary of the budget proposal is available by clicking here.

The City’s general tax levy is comprised of three funds: the general fund, the capital project fund, and the debt service fund. Combined, the total levy of these three funds is $14,612,354, an increase of 3.2% from last year.  The City’s general levy tax rate, before factoring in tax increment revenues, is projected to increase $0.04 to $3.15/$1,000 of assessed value.

At its November 13 meeting, the Common Council will also consider adopting a Sewer Utility property tax levy which covers the Sewer Utility’s annual debt service and the annual capital charge from the Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD).  In aggregate, properties located in the sanitary sewer service area will see an increase in the sewer tax levy of approximately $238,000, a 3.3% increase over last year.  The increase will be dedicated towards payment of the annual capital charge from MMSD and debt service resulting from the East Trunk Sewer project  The Sewer Utility’s tax rate, before factoring in tax increment revenues, increases about $.03 to $1.94/$1,000 of assessed value. A summary of the sewer utility property tax levy proposal can be found by clicking here.

Army Calls Patrol Officer to Active Duty
Patrol Officer Brett Vahsholtz is being called to active duty by the military to serve a year-long deployment overseas, beginning next week.  Officer Vahsholtz’s position in the Police Department will be held for him to resume upon his return. The City of Mequon wishes Officer Vahsholtz a safe deployment and thanks him for his service to the United States.

Railroad Repairs South of Mequon to Impact Commuters
Motorists traveling south of Mequon through the Village of Brown Deer may want to consider altering their standard route as the railroad crossing at W. Brown Deer Road/STH 100 adjacent to the North Shore Fire Station is in need of immediate full replacement according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.  The initial work completed this past spring (May of 2018) was inadequate and needs to be re-constructed.  The crossing replacement will require full closure of W. Brown Deer Road at the crossing starting on Monday, November 12 through Friday, November 16.  Questions can be directed to Canadian Rail (CN) at its 24-hour emergency contact number 1-800-465-9239 or CN’s general public inquiry contact at: 1-888-888-5909/Contact@cn.ca. 

2018 City-Wide Recycling Events See Success
The City of Mequon’s 2nd 2018 Appliance, Electronic & Lawn Equipment Recycling Event was held on October 20. This year, the recycling events drew 462 vehicles in July and 406 vehicles in October, recycling over 500 appliances (not including the electronics or lawn equipment).  The three hour events were organized by Refrigerant Depot and Legacy Recycling. As a result of the continued success of the recycling events, the City will host two recycling events again in 2019 on July 27 and October 19.

Veterans Day Observances This Weekend
An outdoor public observance of Veterans Day will take place on Sunday, November 11 from 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. at the Howard J. Schroeder American Legion Post 457 with a lunch to follow in the Legion clubhouse.  More information about the event can be found by clicking here.

City Hall Thanksgiving Food Drive
A Thanksgiving Food Drive will be held from Monday, November 12 through Friday, November 30 to benefit Family Sharing of Ozaukee County.  Donations of non-perishable food items can be placed in the designated bins inside City Hall between 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.  Please see the attached flyer for requested items.