Whitewater Council Looks at 0% Tax Levy Increase

Whitewater council urges zero-percent levy hike. (Jefferson County Daily Union, 8/17/2011)

Excerpt: The Whitewater Common Council on Tuesday directed staff to proceed with developing the 2012 city budget at a zero-percent-increase tax levy.

Prior to discussing the issue and some related matters, the board heard the annual financial trend analysis presented by summer intern Katelynn Schmitt, although the analysis itself was performed by city manager Kevin Brunner and finance director Doug Saubert.

The analysis covered many of the issues that the budget process entails, such as revenues, expenditures, utilities, cuts in state aid, and costs of government services.

In short, the net operating revenues per capita has been declining since 2001. The city is serving more people with less money than it was in 1991.

In 1991, net operating revenues were $279.75; it peaked in 2001 at $355.66. In 2010, the figure dropped to $273.83.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)