Budget 2013 Passes With Minor Changes

The City of Muskego 2013 budget will keep intact a pay increase for city employees, which was really the only point of prolonged discussion by the Common Council in approving the $17,195,385 proposal to run the city for the coming year.

Alderman Kert Harenda said he was in favor of the one percent cost of living increase, but raised an objection to the merit increase that was part of the $85,000 package. However other aldermen on the council felt that previous discussion had already settled the issue, and it was never brought to a vote.

The council approved Alderman Rob Glazier's requested shift of $5,000 from the parks budget for tree trimming in Idle Isle Park to the position being sought for a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) planner.

The Senior Taxi program will also have its funds drawn from a new account. Previously TIF residual funds had provided the yearly $5,000 assistance to the service, which gives seniors low cost rides to appointments. Alderman Dan Soltysiak requested the monies be drawn instead from the State Transportation fund.

With Jammin' on Janesville funding ending after next year, Soltysiak considered future funding a moot point, but Alderman Neil Borgman suggested developing a policy to define civic events to guide future councils should a similar situation arise.

The budget will be funded in part by a $12 million tax levy, which is 0.591 percent higher than last year. The tax rate, which is the amount charged per $1,000 of assessed value of your property, is $4.40, down a penny from last year.