Waukesha - City Administrator Lori Curtis Luther delivered a recommended 2011 budget and capital plan Friday that, if approved as is, would keep property owners' city tax bills the same as last year's.
The tax-funded operating budget totals $58.9 million, less than a 1% increase under the proposal, while the tax levy to pay for it - $51.5 million - would increase by 0.2%. Offsetting tax base growth from new construction results in no change to the tax rate - $8.95 per $1,000 assessed value.
The total recommended budget, for everything from the wastewater treatment operation to trust funds, is set at $131.7 million, up 3%.
The city did not reassess this year, so an individual's taxes for city purposes would not change unless property improvements increased the assessment. The final bill also depends on school and county taxes as well as state credits.
Luther cited a number of budget factors: lower debt; deferred purchases of public safety vehicles; increased revenues; a hiring freeze for all but the Police Department; and employment contracts that limit pay increases.
Employee pay, frozen this year, is set to increase 1% in January and 1% in July but is offset by employee contributions to health care.
Five more employee positions will not be filled next year under her plan, saving $350,000 and leaving 22 vacancies. But the budget adds two police officers, expecting to offset their costs with more traffic tickets, and two seasonal workers to patrol parks.
About $400,000 in saving resulted by deferring purchases of an ambulance, other Fire Department vehicles, two police squads and parks vehicles.
About $600,000 in higher revenues are expected from already approved higher ambulance fees, slightly higher state aid, court collections and cable franchise fees.
Debt costs for capital projects will drop 2.8% next year, largely because of prior-year decisions. Luther recommended $5 million in projects next year, a typical target, but did not choose between $6.7 million in relocating two fire stations for faster response times vs. $786,000 for repairs if the old stations stay in service.
The Finance Committee will start its budget review Oct. 7. A final public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 16, with Common Council action set for later that night.