(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council approved their 2022 budget Monday night. The $18.3-million-dollar document is about one-million-dollars higher than the current budget. It includes a tax levy of $ $12.4-million dollars, up around $1.1-million. Included is a two-percent wage increase and a 7.5-percent health insurance hike. The mill rate is $9.26 per thousand, a decrease of 20-cents.
Alderman Ken Anderson cast the lone vote against the budget following an unsuccessful motion to remove a $32-thousand dollar expenditure for the position of Community Development Manager. The part-time economic development role was tasked with attracting new businesses and residents to the city.
Mayor Becky Glewen told the city’s administrative committee earlier in the evening that she would not be seeking to renew the contract for the position. She says the chamber of commerce board is considering a plan to absorb the position.
The budget includes a new position for a school resource officer/compliance officer, which would be partially funded by the school district. The understaffed parks department also has funding allotted for either full-time, part-time or contracted personnel.
The budget does comply with state levy limits, which calculates increases based on new construction and tax increment finance district closures. Beaver Dam is looking at a six-percent increase in equalized property values and will see the addition of another $72-million in equalized value with the closure of TIF District #4. The city will also qualify for the state’s Expenditure Restraint Program, allowing for an increase in the general fund levy next year by 3.4-percent, payable in 2023. This year, the city was able to receive nearly $362-thousand extra.
The entire budget can be found here:
