Howard Village Board approves 2025 budget

HOWARD – During its Nov. 11 meeting, the Howard Village Board unanimously approved its budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Through the approved budget, the total levy increased $335,131 from last year — a 4.03% change.

“We are proposing a 16 cent tax increase, which would have about a $47 increase on the average home, which is valued at about $294,000,” explained Howard Executive Director of Administrative Services Chris Haltom.

“Included in the proposal are adding to fire rescue employees. Also, we have a rather large increase for the county sheriff contract, and we have our cost of living increases for employee wages and some increases on the benefits. Actually, the benefit increases are some of the lowest we've had for quite a while, since a lot of times health insurance is much higher than 90%.”

Haltom showed the board some comparisons with other municipalities around the state that are similar in size.

“Some are smaller, some are larger population-wise. And the only one on this list is lower than the village of Howard is Mequon, Now this is comparing last year's tax rates, because we don't have all this year's information yet, and that one is, I think it's a fairly wealthy community, so I'm sure that they pay a pretty good share at that rate, even with the properties that they have,” Haltom explained.

“We do have seven Tax Incremental Financing districts in the village that are currently active, and in 2025 we are scheduling some of those to make some equipment purchases. Right now, those TIFs have outstanding debt of about $26 million which they are paying for.

“We have five other capital project funds primarily set up for equipment replacement, but also our Capital Improvement Fund uses money for road resurfacing, reconstruction, bridge replacement. The primary source of funding in these funds is property taxes, but the Capital Improvement Fund does have another large source, which is our state road aids.”

A public hearing was held earlier that evening, with no one coming forward to speak.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Howard Village Hall Board Room, 2456 Glendale Ave., Howard.