(Town of Beaver Dam) We will be discussing the referendum question that voters in the Town of Beaver Dam will see on the August 9th ballot Friday afternoon on WBEV’s Community Comment. The town board is seeking to exceed revenue limits in perpetuity to fund increased fire and EMS costs and road maintenance.
For the 2023 budget, the township is limited by state statute to a levy increase of point-seven-five-percent (0.75%) which results in a total levy of $520,870. If approved, the referendum would increase 76.7-percent, adding $400-thousand dollars next year and each year thereafter. If approved, the owner of a $100-thousand dollar home would see the township portion of their tax bill increase from $188 to $294, based on the current years data.
The town and the Beaver Dam Rural Association have come to a verbal agreement on the terms of a new five-year contract for fire and EMS services, due to start in 2023. The contract is contingent on the results of the referendum. The hope is that the referendum is settled in time for budget adoption.
Board Chairman Joseph Kern will be our guest today. Kern says there are not a lot of options. The board explored contracting out with other services, starting their own EMS and borrowing, none of which he says are ideal.
Community Comment airs weekdays at 12:35pm, on AM1430 WBEV.
