By Ben Rodgers
Editor

SUAMICO – The mill rate in Suamico will be increasing for 2020 after the village board approved the budget on Monday, Nov. 11.

The 2.16 percent increase to $4.70 per $1,000 of assessed property value is up from $4.60 last year.

The impact on a $200,000 home in the village will be an increase of just under $20, or just under $30 for a $300,000 home.

The total tax levy for 2020 is projected at $5.2 million, up 3.5 percent from $5.02 million in 2019.

The budget calls for a $100,000 increase to road construction projects, an across-the-board village staff wage increase of 2.1 percent, and a decrease of the debt service levy from 30 percent of the total levy to 22 percent.

In 2012, debt service made up 40 percent of the total levy.

“We are also adding one full-time fire chief and we are changing one part-time clerk to a full-time clerk,” said Jessica Legois, director of administrative services.

Jessica Legois

The village’s operational levy makes up the bulk of the tax levy at 57.5 percent. Debt service is 22 percent and the capital levy is 20.5 percent.

“The levy impact of constructing a new fire station would not be felt until 2021, so that’s not reflected on this chart,” Legois said.

General operational expenses are projected to increase 12.6 percent to $1.15 million and include shifting of a clerk to full-time.

Public safety expenses are projected to increase 6.3 percent to $2.2 million and include the hiring of a full-time fire chief.

Public works is also projected to increase 4.4 percent to just over $900,000 with increased operational costs.

Road projects will increase to $660,000 a year, up from $560,000 in 2019.

With the increase, the village will complete work on Brook Hills Drive, Brook Hills Court, Brook Hills Place, Popplewood Court, Dogwood Court, Hidden Lake Lane, Wandering Court, Pine Cone Circle, Parkland Way, Lark Road, Woodland Meadows Court and Woodington Way.

Andy Smits, public works director, said the village ideally would like to get the road construction fund to $1.2 million, adding $100,000 a year for the next six years.

“I hate raising it every year, but it’s being raised for a good reason,” said Trustee Michelle Eckert.

Other capital projects for 2020 include playground replacement at Idlewild Park, the first phase of the Calavera Park project, squad car and computers in squad car replacement, a building inspection truck, a single-axle dump truck and a canoe/kayak launch and trail in Tax Incremental Financing District (TID) No. 2.

TID 2 is in historic downtown Suamico, and the expenditure period for it closes in 2021.

It is projected to end next year with an ending fund balance of $11,000.

TID No. 1, located along East Deerfield Avenue, is projected to end next year with an ending fund balance of $82,000, and TID No. 4, the Urban Edge Shopping Centre, is expected to finish 2020 with an ending fund balance of $250,000.

“We do expect TID 4 to contribute to the Lineville Road construction and expansion project (in 2021),” Legois said.

The village is also projected to have an ending fund balance of $288,000 from the stadium tax refund.

The village will also increase its annual residential garbage and recycling fee $5 to $175 and its stormwater fee $5 to $30 per residence.

The motion to approve the budget passed unanimously, with Trustee Sky Van Rossum absent.

“I think I can speak for the board on this one, hats off to all of the department heads for putting together a real solid budget,” said Trustee Dan Roddan. “It makes our budget day go smoother and this year was no exception.”