Whitefish Bay Budget To Be Finalized With A Handful Of Increases

WHITEFISH BAY, WI—The Village will hold a public hearing for the 2021 Whitefish Bay Village Budget on Monday, November 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. via GoToMeeting.

Click here to view the 2021 Draft Budget.

"As an organization, the Village of Whitefish Bay is committed to looking forward and planning for the future," according to Village leaders.

The 2021 budgeted expenditures total $16,027,675 and include the General Fund, Capital Fund, Library Fund, and Debt Service Fund, according to Village records.

Summary of 2021 Budget Impacts:
 1.65% increase in municipal tax rate
 2.33% or $269,477 increase in tax levy
 15.47% water rate increase (12.07% reflected in 2021)
 No increase in sewer or stormwater rate and no supplement from General Fund
 Retiree health/dental benefits for police and DPW to be paid out of OPEB fund balance
 Wage increase for cost of living of 2% - President Siegel has indicated that she would prefer to
amend the proposed 2% cost of living adjustment to 2.5%. That increase will have a Budget
impact of $24,336. President Siegel would like the Village Board to consider eliminating the
proposed Community Survey (reduction of $15,000) and reducing the DPW Vehicle
Replacement line item by $9,336 to enable cost of living raises of 2.5% while keeping the market
basket at 2.54%.
 9.5% increase in medical and 0% increase in dental premium costs
 Reflects reduction in State Transportation aid of $82,961 and State Shared Revenue of $13,440

Public Safety, which includes wages and benefits for police staff, guns and ammunition, and other police expenses accounts for 38% of the total Village expenditures.

General Government, which accounts for 10% of expenditures, includes wages and benefits for general government employees, office supplies, and utilities.

Capital Fund includes capital purchases over $10,000, is two percent of the 2021 expenditures.

The Debt Service Fund, which is the Village’s principal and interest payments on debt accounts for 23% of expenditures.

The Library Fund expenditures, which include the purchases of books and materials for the Whitefish Bay Public Library, are five percent of total expenditures.

The Health Department, which includes wages and benefits for full time and part-time health aides, is two percent of expenditures.

The Public Works Department, which includes wages and benefits for Public Works staff, as well as provides for tools and supplies accounts for 19% of the 2021 budgeted expenditures.