Mequon Weekly Bulletin - June 11, 2021
U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S
Architectural Board: June 14 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Future of our Fire Department Committee: June 15 - 6:00 P.M. (Agenda)
Library Board of Trustees: June 16 - 6:00 P.M.
Park and Open Space Board: June 23 – 6:30 P.M.
COVID-19 Update for the Week Ending Friday, June 11
The City of Mequon, in coordination with the Washington/Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD) and other state and federal agencies, continues to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- As of this update, the State has reported that 5,782,655 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered and 2,551,126 Wisconsin residents have completed the vaccination series.
- The FDA extended the shelf life of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine from 3 months to 4.5 months.
Please help to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19 in the community by maintaining a safe social distance when necessary, following proper hygiene practices, and staying home when sick.
New Property Assessments to be Mailed July 1
Pursuant to direction received from the Mequon Common Council in late-2019, the City Assessor’s Office is performing a city-wide revaluation of all taxable property during 2021. Accordingly, all Mequon property owners will soon receive a New Notice of Assessment letter. These letters will include an updated assessed valuation, contact information for any questions or concerns and a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that explains more about the revaluation process. Also included will be the scheduled meeting date(s) and time(s) for the City’s Board of Review, which meets annually to approve new property assessments and review any objections.
Put simply, the purpose of a revaluation is not to collect more taxes. Rather, it is intended to correct instances of unfairness that can occur over time. Mequon has not conducted a revaluation in 12 years, and state law requires periodic revaluations to address value changes. Over time, values in different neighborhoods and areas, and among different property types, change unequally. Without a revaluation, relative assessments among properties become unfair, resulting in some owners paying too much in property taxes and others paying too little.
In connection with the process that is now underway, the Common Council chose to undertake a Market Update revaluation in 2021. This type of revaluation is conducted mostly in-house by the Assessor’s Office, analyzing true arm’s-length sales that have recently occurred within Mequon and using those sales to determine new assessed values that reflect current market values. In short, “market value” is defined as: “the most probable price at which a property should bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions requisite to a fair sale, the buyer and seller, each acting prudently, knowledgeably and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus.”
Upon receiving new assessment notices, Mequon property owners will have an opportunity to discuss their new assessed valuation with City Assessor Mike Grota or his staff, if there is a belief that the Assessor’s Office made an error or did not have sufficient information upon which to calculate the new valuation. In Wisconsin, this is called “Open Book.” This year, Open Book meetings will occur generally between July 26 and July 30 and mostly be conducted by email or telephone. If residents are still not satisfied after completing the Open Book process, they have an opportunity to appeal an assessment to the City’s Board of Review, which is comprised of Mequon residents. Later this fall, the Board of Review is tentatively scheduled to begin its 2021 meeting(s) beginning at 8:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 16 at Mequon City Hall, 11333 N. Cedarburg Road.
Looking ahead, it is anticipated that Mequon property owners will begin receiving their New Notice of Assessment in the mail sometime during the first week of July 2021. In the meantime, should residents or business owners have any further questions, they are encouraged to contact Carolyn Vogel, Assessment Technician in the City Assessor’s Office, at (262) 236-2952 / cvogel@ci.mequon.wi.us.
2021 Road Program Update
Crews were on site at the Rotary Park west parking lot this week to mill the existing surface. Unfortunately, the majority of the parking lot required undercutting or removal of the existing base and installation of structural material for stabilization. The undercutting should be complete this week, with paving scheduled to follow. While the structural repair was unanticipated, the project should still be completed on time and within the authorized contract amount. The City’s road program contractor intends to start later in the summer, tentatively mid-August, but should finish prior to the required September completion date.
City Increases Web Presence via LinkedIn
The City of Mequon now has a LinkedIn Account. Founded in 2003, LinkedIn connects the world’s professionals to make them more productive and successful. With more than 756 million members worldwide, including executives from every Fortune 500 company, LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network. It is the City’s goal to go from searching to hiring new staff in less time with this new on-line presence.
Planning a Summer Renovation Project?
Whether you are building a shed, fence, deck, or renovating a room in your house, make sure all your paperwork is in order. For permit processing associated with development and construction, you may access the related forms on-line. Complete and return your permit(s) during operating hours or via postal mail, email or the drop box located immediately east of City Hall southern main door entrance. For mechanical permits (Plumbing, HVAC & Electrical) submit the fees (check payable to the City of Mequon) along with the permit and include email address so we can email you a copy of the issued permit. To schedule inspections, please call (262) 236-2930.
Taste of Mequon still accepting Vendor Applications
The Festivals Committee has been busy preparing for the annual Taste of Mequon community event that will be taking place on Saturday, September 11 from 12:00 – 9:00 P.M. The Vendor Application deadline has been extended to July 16 and the Liquor License until July 19.
The Pool is Now Open for the Season
The Mequon Community Pool opened June 10 for the season through August 20. Pool passes can be purchased at the Bath House during regular pool hours. For an additional fee, residents can add the Super Pass to their Mequon Season Pass to gain access to the Cedarburg, Grafton, and Port Washington pools. Please click here to view more details.
Pop-Up Beer Garden on June 18
1840 Brewing will be hosting their second pop-up beer garden at Mequon Community Park from 4:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. on Friday, June 18. The event will feature live music, games, food trucks, and craft beer. The dates and locations for the remaining beer gardens are as follows:
- July 16 - Lemke Park Pavilion, 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
- August 27 - Rotary Park Gazebo, 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
- September 24 - Rotary Park South Pavilion, 4:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
