Burlington Spotlight
December 2004

CITY HALL EXTENDED HOURS

For convenience to taxpayers the City Hall will remain open until 6:00 p.m. on December 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, & 30, 2004.

 

2005 BUDGET MESSAGE

Following many meetings held over several weeks, and a public hearing held on November 2nd, the City Council adopted a budget for 2005 on November 16th. Putting together a comprehensive municipal budget is challenging, particularly due to unknown factors that can have a direct impact upon our best estimates for revenues and expenses. This year was no different. We still rely upon the State for a consistent flow of municipal shared revenues and transportation support for the many connecting highways flowing through our community. Despite many concessions from employees during the past five years, employee medical insurance costs continue to rise at a rate much faster then inflation. Utility expenses are also skyrocketing. Fortunately, the City's two TID Districts continue to make good progress and valuation, and the City is also beginning to experience growth outside of the TID's.

2005 Budget Highlights include:

1. A limited growth of 2.23% in the general property tax for 2005.

1. Last years budget plan anticipated a modest increase of 3% for 2005.

2. The State's Expenditure Restraint Act limit for 2005 is 4.3%.

3. The increase will equal $17.29 - $18.20 annually for a $100,000 property.

2. The General Fund's balance is projected to be at 23% in 2005. Bonding agencies consider a balance between 20-25% to be healthy.

1. The General Fund provides funding for most municipal services, including, public works, emergency services, administration, special events, solid waste management, and planning and code enforcement.

2. The Fund balance is being supported in part by debt repayment from TID's 3 and 4. This debt will eventually be paid back but is projected to have a longer payback period then previously projected due to strong non-TID growth.

3. The annual TID debt repayments are less then previously budgeted, allowing for additional future year support for the General Fund from this debt service and interest (5% annually) payment.

4. The General Fund's balance is projected to decline during future years as pressure for services continue to be balanced with a demand for low property taxes. If this reduction does occur it could impact future bonds issued by the City for capital improvements.

5. Legislation amending TIF laws in 2004 should allow for continued expenditures for TID related projects, per the TID project plan. These amendments have still not been finalized and Quarles and Brady have opined that it is too early to budget TID related expenses in 2005. We do anticipate being able to shift certain non-operational expenses to the TID's in 2006 and 2007 but we have not projected these cost shifts in the present budget.

3. Property values continue to experience good growth in and out of the Tax Increment Districts in 2004.

4. The Capital Replacement Fund (providing funding for the replacement of vehicles, equipment and technology investments) is proposed to remain under funded, but the deficit has been reduced due to prolonging the replacement of certain vehicles longer than anticipated and obtaining better pricing then projected. The relatively new Fund is approximately 58% funded and continues to make progress towards being fully funded.

5. Building permit revenues remain strong, fully funding this operation. Adding to the funding for property development is the provision that developers of major subdivisions and commercial development pay for the City incurred expenses for legal, engineering and planning services.

6. Employee medical insurance is projected to increase by 10% to 15% annually. Most employees have now adopted the medical insurance coverage most favorable to the City, opting to assume a $500 per person deductible and a $1,000 per person co-payment. The employee insurance committee continues to explore cost savings opportunities in our limited provider area.

7. The Enterprise Funds (water, sanitary sewer and airport) continue to fund themselves without support from the property tax, but fund projections in the utility enterprises will require consideration of either small annual rate increases starting in 2005, or a larger increase in 2006 or 2007. Electrical costs are a major increasing expense for these operations. A Facility Study is planned for the sanitary sewer and water operations in early 2005. These studies will recommend certain plant improvements to increase the capacity of our facility as well as technology improvements that could help reduce future energy consumption.

8. The Airport Fund is projected to be self-sustaining in the 2005 budget due to new projections from fuel sales and hangar leases. The entrepreneurial spirit within the Airport Committee has allowed for the Burlington Municipal to become one of the few municipal airports in Wisconsin to be self-funded.

9. Link to the 2005 City Budget

 

The City of Burlington Police Department would like to remind all citizens of winter parking restrictions. The year round ordinance states no vehicle may be parked on any city street from 2 a.m. until 6 a.m. Citizens may call the police department and request special permission to park during these hours. This is normally reserved for out of town guests where adequate parking is not available. Parking without prior approval from the police department will result in a ticket.

With a 3-inch snowfall this privilege may be withdrawn to allow snowplows to clear the roads. Citizens will be advised when they call that no overnight parking is permitted due to snow removal.

Downtown Resident Permits (DTR) allow residents who live in an area with restricted parking availability, the privilege to park in municipal lots. The permits cost $10.00 dollars a month, the vehicle must be registered to the residence and a vehicle cannot be parked in the same stall for more than 24 hours. Snow removal in these municipal lots has always been a challenge. We are asking all permit holders to follow guidelines to allow city snow removal equipment to clear lots in a timely manner.

If you have any questions regarding parking or snow removal operations please contact Lieutenant Scot Eisenhauer at The City of Burlington Police Department Monday - Friday
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 342-1103.

City of Burlington employees make every effort possible to safely remove snow from all streets in a timely manner as soon as possible after a snowfall. State highways are the first streets to be plowed, followed by the main (arterial) streets, side streets, and then parking lots and alleys.

Because of the many variables such as traffic conditions, amount of snowfall and how heavy (or light) the snow is, we cannot predict with certainty how long it will take to clear our streets following a storm event. Please drive safely and don't follow snow plows too closely. Any concerns or questions regarding snow plowing can be directed to the Department of Public Works at 763-2060.

Nominating papers may be circulated beginning December 1, 2004 and returned by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 4, 2005. If you have any questions regarding elections, you may contact the City Clerk at 342-1171. The Spring Election for city aldermanic posts is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2005. An alderman from each of the four districts is up for election.