By Ben Rodgers
Editor
HOBART – The Hobart village board used a resolution to specify the means for land acquisition for an upcoming interchange project at its Tuesday, Nov. 19, meeting.
The resolution, which required unanimous board approval, essentially states the village shall only contribute to land costs if the land is acquired outright and not for any easement.
This move comes on the heels of the Oneida Nation purchasing 79 acres of land critical to the proposed State Highway 29/County Highway VV interchange as it lays in the path of a road connecting the interchange to Centennial Centre.
According to the project agreement, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is responsible for negotiating the price for all land acquisition costs, with the village footing the bill for what is agreed upon with landowners.
“The DOT has decided they will pursue an easement, not a purchase,” said Aaron Kramer, village administrator. “This resolution would prohibit us from participating in any payment because it’s an easement.”
The resolution replaces one previously passed this year which set aside $1.5 million in bonds for a previously unsuccessful development in Centennial Centre, the Tax Incremental Financing District home to the proposed interchange.
Earlier this year, the tribe paid $9.87 million to David Lewis for land at nearly $130,000 an acre.
An Oneida Nation budget document for the 2019 fiscal year obtained by The Press Times shows in 2019 the tribe budgeted $15.49 million for land acquisition.
The purchase from Lewis accounts to nearly 63 percent of the total budgeted amount for the year.
A members-only communication from the Oneida Land Commission, obtained by The Press Times, calls the purchase “strategic.”
“The Nation’s intent is to prevent high-density urban sprawl coming from the east,” the document reads.
Kramer said as of Tuesday, Nov. 19, he has received no communication the Oneida Nation would be participating in the project or costs associated with it.
“I can assure you, it is a unique situation we are in currently,” he said.
Budget approved
In other news, the board approved the 2020 general operating budget.
The biggest change to the budget is the final determination of the village’s assessed value.
Some land in the Village of Hobart was originally assessed for the Village of Ashwaubenon.
Kramer said the error resulted in an additional $48,000 in revenue for Hobart’s property tax levy.
The 2020 operations levy (not including the village’s two TIF districts) is $2,994,650.
The mill rate will remain at $4.41 per $1,000 of equalized value for the fourth consecutive year.
Trout Creek subdivision
Coming out of closed session, the board approved a development agreement between the village and Gigot Properties LLC, for the development of 57.66 acres of real estate for the purpose of constructing a 30-lot, single-family home residential subdivision off Trout Creek Road.
Kramer said the preliminary plat should be coming to the village board for action in December.