PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2007 Budget Goals
In the 2007 budget, the Village Board and I set the following financial goals: 1) Improve community policing at a reduced cost. 2) Determine how employees will be sharing in increased cost of health insurance. 3) Build reserves over the next 5 years to equal 15% of operating budget. 4) Create 5 year operating budget for the General Fund, Water and Sewer Utilities. 5) Create a 5-year capital improvement plan. 6) Provide for improved EMS services to the Village. and 7) Promote land sales in the business park. If these goals are achieved the Village of Deerfield will be financially strong and will provide superior services to its residents.
I would like to thank all citizens, Village Board members, numerous Committee members and Village staff for their outstanding work and vital input over last year. Because of their collective hard work and dedication, many endeavors were completed resulting in a better community.
Best Wishes to all for a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Anrie Evensen, Village President
SIDEWALK SHOVELING AND SNOW REMOVAL REMINDERS
Property owners are responsible to keep their sidewalk clean and the Public Works Department reminds residents that all sidewalks must be shoveled or have ice removed by 5:00 p.m. the day after the snow has stopped. Sidewalks not cleared will be done by the Village Public Works Department at a minimum charge of $80.00, which will be billed to the property owner. Also, please do not push or shovel snow into the street but place it in the terrace or lawn area.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
• Two new phases have been approved and are under construction in the Heritage Plat.
• Plans and specification are being reviewed for a new subdivision plat known as Drumlin Hills that is located in the Southeast portion of the Village.
• Plans are presently being developed for a new residential and open space area on the land currently know as the Nelson Farm which is located on Liberty Street on the west side of the Village.
• In 2007, the Village will be starting to upgrade the Downtown area with new sidewalks, street plantings and other improvements funded through TIF funds.
• In early spring, the addition to the Fire Department building will be completed to provide additional bays and living quarters.
LIBRARY
January Family Fun Night: Thursday, January 18th, 6:30 p.m. The Timber Wolf Alliance of Wisconsin will present an informative program. Registration is not required.
February Family Fun Night: Thursday, Feb. 15th, 6:30 p.m. Learn to play Chess. Ages 8 and up welcome. This short-course will give you the basics to get you started. Registration is required.
March Family Fun Night: Watch for details about our Loon Watch program, “Common Loon: Symbol of the North”.
DEERFIELD COMMUNITY CENTER (DCC)
Open Recreation Sundays
Open Recreation is back. Come to the Deerfield Elementary School on Sundays from 1-3. Don’t forget your waiver and $1. Waivers can be down loaded from http://www.dccenter.org or picked up at Elementary School or at the Center. Open gym is open to all k-12 grade youth, 4th graders and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Looking for Referees
Love basketball? Come and Referee for Junior Hoops, DCC’s youth basketball program. If you are assertive and understand the game contact Kerri at 764-5935 for more information.
Youth Soccer
Deadline to register for Spring soccer grades k-3 is February 2, 2007. Stop by or log on the http://www.dccenter.org for registration information.
Karate Do
Learn the techniques of Karate-do from Sensei Wells. He is a 6th degree black belt. He has over 35 years of experience to share with our youth. Upcoming Sessions: Jan 3-Feb 9, Feb 21-March 30, April 11-May 18. Register today at the DCC.
POLICE
In 2007, the Village will be changing its policing service from having its own department to a combined department with the Village of Cambridge with Dane County personnel manning the department.
MAJOR CHANGES INCLUDED IN 2007 BUDGET
REVENUES
1) The Village of Deerfield increased its revenue by raising property taxes to the maximum allowed under state mandated levy limits.
2) The Village of Deerfield began charging the Utilities and other Special Funds an administrative fee, which will accurately reflect cost allocations.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSES
1) Decreased the cost of Employee Health Insurance by going with the State of Wisconsin’s plan and, increasing the employee deductible.
2) Decreasing Attorney costs.
POLICE
1) Decreased costs by contracting jointly with the Village of Cambridge.
OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY
1) Costs for the Fire Department remain basically unchanged even though they are in a larger building.
2) Cost for EMS service increased by $10,000 to enable increased coverage from the Deerfield station.
PUBLIC WORKS
1) Elimination of two part-time positions.
2) Decreased cost of Garbage & Recycling by jointly contracting with the Town of Deerfield and School District (combining the three units of government is a savings of $36,000.00 annually).
3) Decreased expenditure for weed and grass control.
4) Increased expenditure for crack filling (this was previously budgeted as a capital item).
LEISURE ACTIVITIES
1) Decreased funding to the Sum Prairie Colonial Club.
2) Decreased funding to the Library whereby decreasing the number of hours.
3) Decreased expenditures for park maintenance.
CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT
1) Decreased expenditures to maintain Business Park property not sold by leasing the property to a farmer for crops.
DEBT SERVICE
1) 2007 will be the first year since 2003 that the Village will not borrow money for general government operations or capital expenditures.
BUDGET NUMBERS FOR 2007 AND MILL RATE FOR 2006 TAX BILLS
The Village board approved its local 2007 budget on November 27, 2006, resulting in a general levy for 2006 of $255,227 and a mill rate of $6.45, which along with the budgets from other taxing authorities resulted in a total mil rate of $20.99 an increase from 2005 of sixty-four cents.
2005 Levy
2006 Levy
Increase
% of Total Taxes
2005 Mill Rate
2006 Mill
Rate
Decrease/ increase in cents
STATE
$ 28,177.51
$ 28,923.41
$745.90
.9%
$.207
$.205
-.002
COUNTY
$377,822.20
$399,000.17
$21,177.97
12.46%
$ 2.78
$2.83
.03
VILLAGE
$801,839.95
$910,452.33
$108,612.33
28.43%
$ 5.90
$6.45
.55
VATE
$190,270.49
$199,659.84
$9,389.35
6.23%
$ 1.40
$1.41
.01
SCHOOL
$1,544,211.68
$1,664,779.73
$120,568.05
51.98%
$11.38
$11.79
.41
TOTAL
$2,942,321.83.
$3,202,815.48
$260,493.65
100%
$21.68
$22.68
1.00
Less State Credit
$ 1.32
$1.69
.36
NET MILL RATE
$20.35
$20.99
$.64
This means that taxes on a $150,000 house in 2005 were $3,052.50 and for 2006, taxes will be $3,148.50, an increase of $96.00. The lottery credit for 2006 will be $117.25 for those who occupy their primary residence as of January 1, 2006.
Assessed value of the Village for 2006 increased over $5,526,000 from 2005. Value for 2005 was $135,694,700 and for 2006, it is $141,220,700 and is attributed to the new housing growth.
TAX PAYMENT INFORMATION
Tax collection for December payments: Until December 29 until 4:30 p.m. at the Village Hall or postmarked by December 31, 2006. January payments: January 31 until 4:30 p.m. at the Village Hall or postmarked by January 31, 2007. Payments after January 31 are made to the Dane Co. Treasurer. Qualify for a lottery credit if you owned and lived at a property since January 1, 2006.