Edgar OK’s $1.1M budget with minimal tax hike

By Kevin O’Brien

Village taxes in Edgar will go up by less than 1 percent next year under a 2024 budget adopted Monday by the board of trustees.

The budget includes just under $1.1 million in revenues and expenditures, with about a third of the village’s income coming from a $387,218 property tax levy. The amount of local taxes collected will increase by only about $3,400 over this year – a .88 percent hike that matches the rate of net new construction in 2023.

Like other municipalities across Wisconsin, Edgar will see a substantial increase in state shared revenue, about $65,000, after lawmakers passed a new revenue-sharing formula that uses a portion of state sales tax revenue to boost aid. Before the new law went into effect, the amount of shared revenue the village received actually dropped by about $1,000 between 2022 and 2023.

Besides receiving nearly $392,000 in shared revenue, the village will see its transportation aid go up by about $3,200 to just over $99,000. Overall, the budget will increase by 2.6 percent ($28,357) over this year.

No one spoke for or against the budget at a public hearing on Monday, and there was no discussion among board members before they unanimously approved the budget.

A different public hearing – regarding the vacation of an alley and two blocks of street – generated far more discussion.

Residents Jeffrey Hall and Mara Hoyt raised concerns about a proposal to vacate a section of alley off West Maple Street, between Sixth and Fifth Avenue. Hall said the alley is “technically our driveway,” and a vacation would force them to divide the 20-foot-wide space with the neighboring property owner.

“If we split the property, like was suggested, I lose half my driveway,” Hall said. “I could barely get a vehicle in my driveway then.”

Village administrator Jennifer Lopez told the couple that they can always establish a perpetual easement with their current neighbor, ensuring they would maintain full access to the driveway even if the neighboring property was sold to a new owner. It was noted that the neighbors would have to pay to establish the easement themselves.

Hoyt and Hall also pointed out that vacating the alley would leave their backlot landlocked, even though it is currently See EDGAR VILLAGE BOARD/ page 2 Edgar Village Board

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zoned for business.

“How would you guys feel if it was your property?” Hoyt asked trustees. “Would you be leery?”

Village president Terry Lepak said, as a homeowner, he would probably prefer to see the public alley turned into private property, but he understands their concerns about splitting the driveway.

“Well, if the village were to not vacate it, I seriously doubt we’d continue plowing it,” Lepak noted. “That’s an option too.”

Lopez said the backlot could be rezoned to residential, but it would ultimately be up to the zoning board of appeals to approve such a request. If the residents were the ones requesting the rezoning, she said they would have to pay a $100 application fee. Ultimately, the board approved a motion to vacate the Maple Street alley, along with West Street north of Quaw Avenue and Freeman Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenue.

Other business

n The board awarded a $1.6 million contract to Switlick and Sons of Athens for replacing sewer mains on Thomas Hill Road, CTH H and Birch Street. Switlick submitted the lowest of four bids, and their price was well below the $2.3 million estimate from Cooper Engineering.

n The board approved the purchase of three Glock 9mm pistols, with Red Dot sights, for part-time police officers, at a cost of $812 per firearm. Officer Matthew Krembs told trustees that the sights will greatly improve accuracy and provide officers with the same technology available to civilians. Krembs also said he would like to implement strict policies limiting when officers can carry their firearms while off-duty.

Trustee John Streit voted against the purchases, citing concerns with the village’s liability and the possibility that a new police chief could want totally different weapons.

“Now we’d own guys that we’d have to get rid of because the new chief wants something else,” he said.

n After meeting in closed session, the board approved a resolution setting employee salaries for next year. Lopez will receive a $3,568 raise, bringing her salary to $74,931, and deputy clerktreasurer Teresa Marvin will get a 64-cent raise, up to $19.05 per hour. Public works employees will see their hourly wages increase from $26.79 to $28, and election workers will get a 75cent bump up to $11 per hour.

n Officer Krembs told trustee that new part-time officer Brad Wolff was sworn in last week and has been training with officer- in-charge Ramsay Plautz before he takes on his full duties. Krembs also informed trustees that the department arrested a juvenile suspect for child pornography and he is being charged as an adult. n The board approved a $331,272 pay request from Staab Construction for work done on the sewer plant, along with a $354,074 application for payment from USDA-Rural Development.

n The board approved a gear box replacement at the wastewater treatment plant, which is estimated to cost about $19,000.

n The board approved the temporary closure of Third Avenue, from Oak to Chesak, and Oak Street, from Third to First Avenue, during the Holiday Parade on Dec. 10.

n The board approved $50 gift cards to local businesses as a holiday gift to employees.