Property owners pay more despite drop in spending

The Post-Crescent

CHILTON — Calumet County supervisors passed a budget this past week that officials say is lean, yet still recognizes the ever-increasing demand for public services.

The county will collect about a half-million dollars more, or just over 3 percent, in property taxes, under the 2010 spending package.

The county was able to go beyond the state-mandated 3 percent cap on tax levy growth through the state's "look-back" provision that allows officials to add amounts that sat beneath levy caps during the past four years.

County Administrator Jay Shambeau initially called for 6 percent levy growth, though supervisors amended the budget proposal by an 11-9 vote to reduce the levy by $400,000 and take that money from the county fund balance.

"(The budget) leaves us in continuation of similar levels of government services," Shambeau said. "We didn't have to drastically reduce, slash and burn services, but we weren't able to grow government and meet pent-up demands."

The 2010 budget includes no money for new job positions.

Supervisors approved more than $146,000 in spending this year for computer and software purchases. The county will borrow about $1.8 million for county highway maintenance and upgrades to the county's building controls automation system.

The county's decline in overall spending was based on implementation of the state's Family Care long-term care program, a reduction in county highway construction spending and completion of the Brothertown Harbor project.

Shambeau said he doesn't expect the budget process to become any easier in coming years with county needs on the horizon including radio communications infrastructure and a new highway department facility.

"We have some large capital improvements coming at 2011 and beyond," he said.