Friday, September 20, 2024
SUAMICO – At the latest Suamico Village Board meeting, the board elected Nikki McKeefry as the interim trustee to fill the vacancy left by Mike Schnider’s resignation.
The decision followed a selection process where six candidates, all present, had five minutes each to answer four pre-submitted questions.
After considering the responses, the board voted and Nikki McKeefry was chosen as the new interim trustee with a 5-1 majority.
Nikki McKeefry, a long-time resident of Suamico who has deep roots in the community, was chosen for her strong qualifications and insightful responses.
McKeefry, who has lived in Suamico her entire life and raised her family here, will be sworn in at the next board meeting, where she will officially take her seat.
In her responses to the board’s questions, McKeefry described the village board as “a means for a community to govern itself,” and emphasized her readiness to contribute with her background in business and board procedures until the permanent position is decided in April 2025.
When asked about the top challenges facing Suamico, McKeefry identified several key issues.
She highlighted the need to attract new businesses while supporting the growth of existing ones to remain competitive.
McKeefry stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between large chain businesses and small local enterprises.
She also acknowledged the need to support housing development while preserving Suamico’s unique “village charm”.
When discussing Suamico’s top assets, McKeefry praised the village’s location and convenience.
“When I grew up here, you had to go to Green Bay for everything,” she said. “Today, there are very few items that require leaving Suamico.”
She also highlighted the importance of nature preservation and neighborhood safety, expressing her commitment to supporting these efforts and ensuring the community remains safe as it grows.
McKeefry drew on her extensive leadership experience when discussing her approach to managing differences in opinion.
She cited Stephen Covey’s principle of “Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” which she has applied successfully in her professional and personal life.
She also emphasized her commitment to understanding diverse perspectives and facilitating constructive dialogue, even when disagreements arise.
Market adjustment
As mandated by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the village is conducting a “Market Adjustment” revaluation for 2025.
This process assesses each property’s value according to current market conditions, utilizing data collected over the years.
The proposed cost for this revaluation is $88,000.
A reassessment won’t change the total taxes collected but may affect your property’s share of the tax burden, potentially increasing, decreasing or minimally impacting your individual taxes.
For more details, visit the Suamico Village website’s FAQ section at Suamico.org.
Well Number 5 project
The preliminary site plan for Well Number 5 has been introduced.
Testing and drilling have been completed, and the preliminary building layout and well site have been established.
Drilling is expected to begin early next spring, with construction potentially starting in late 2025 or early 2026.
