2020 Greendale Budget 'Meets Challenges'

GREENDALE, WI — Greendale officials say the village is on a collision course that will eventually pit public services against state-imposed revenue limits.

"Under the current tax levy limits, there will come a point in the not too distant future where the Village will no longer be able to provide its present level of services to residents," Village Manager Todd Michaels said in his Oct. 15 budget summary release.

In the meantime, Michaels said city officials are drawing down the minimum amount of fund balance they could in order to meet several challenges, including inflation, significantly greater infrastructure needs and equipment replacement costs.

The total 2020 recommended budget would use $398,004 in General Fund fund balance. Village officials said the estimated year-end 2020 fund balance would be $4,335,848.

Including the revisions in taxes and fees, the 2020 recommended budget projects the total cost for village services to a $228,796 assessed home to be $1,833.51 — a $47.81 increase for the same home last year.

"This Budget includes an average of 2.8 percent increases in wages under the Village’s expanded merit based pay system and the 2.25 percent increases for Firefighters and an estimated increase for Police since the union contract has not been settled," Michaels wrote.

Recommended Budget Highlights Include:

Passing onto the homeowners the cost of residential recycling program: The cost for residential recycling will stay the same for 2020 at $31.08 per year.

Decreased Cost for Road Salt: The cost of Road salt is up this year, however, due to the village's current supply, village officials expect to order less salt in 2020, representing a $5,300 savings.

Elimination of the payment of the Public Fire Protection Charge: The Public Fire Protection Charge is now on the utility bills as a utility charge. The move takes $377,000 off the tax levy, and transfers it to local utility bills.

State Aid for Local Streets Revenue: The village will see a $35,000 increase in State aid.

Health Insurance: The Village has received a 0 percent increase in health insurance for 2020. Any changes in budget are due to newer employees being on a different plan than their predecessor, employees switching plan types or changes to retirees.

Higher Information Technology Costs: Due to the creation of an IT position and increased information technology needs, the village will see an increase of $190,000 here.