Village Levy Could Go Up $1.7 Million

Mount Pleasant residents could see their property taxes go up next year, but by how much still needs to be determined. Trustees are finishing budget workshops this week and expect to have the budget published on or about Oct. 19.

Because Mount Pleasant had a 1.54 percent increase in new construction in 2011 over 2010, trustees have the option of raising the levy from around $16 million in 2012 to around $17.7 million in 2013. The village led Racine County in new construction in 2011, accounting for about 40 percent of county-wide new growth.

New budgeting laws went into affect with the 2011-2013 state budget, limiting municipalities to only raising levy limits the same percentage of net new construction.

Interim Administrator Ron Meyer said now is the right time to take advantage of the chance to boost the levy.

"We have the opportunity to levy to the legal limit and we should think carefully about doing that because if we don't, the implications could carry forward and limit our ability to fund services in the future," he told board members during a budget workshop last week.

He pointed out that as the village grows - and it is growing - so, too, does the need for services like police and fire protection and safe roads, too.

If trustees don't take advantage of the levy increase now, they won't be able to make it up unless the village experiences higher percentages of net new construction in the coming years.

This potential increase matters a lot in Mount Pleasant because of the list trustees asked department heads to put together of their most pressing needs. Among the items being considered are:

• Two snow plows;
• A front-end loader;
• A dump truck;
• Two ambulances;
• A new sprinkler system and air-conditioning at a fire Station 10 (of which Caledonia would pay for half);
• Nine police squad cars;
• Matching police grants;
• Bullet-proof vests;
• A zero-turn lawnmower for parks;
• A handful of computers; and
• $3.7 million in road projects among other things.

Borrowing to cover some of these capital expenses remains a hot-button topic among trustees.

"We need to look hard at spending this kind of money because what you borrow is not what you pay back even at really low interest rates," said Harry Manning.

But Karen Albeck pointed out that not spending is why the village is in this position now, and John Hewitt agreed.

"It's time to fish or cut bait. This board cannot continue to ignore the condition of equipment or our roads," he said. "We have to make a decision pretty damn soon."