| The Sun-Times Serving Williamsville and Sherman |
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Williamsville village board approves deficit budget
for 2010
By Linda Hughes
The Williamsville Village Board approved a 2010 deficit budget at its meeting Monday. The budget anticipates
revenues of $631,269 and expenditures of $829,577 in the general fund.
All other funds are in the black, Mayor Tom Yokley said. The village has reserves to cover the deficit. The fiscal
year for the village is the same as the calendar year.
Last year the general fund anticipated revenues of $687,728 and expenditures of $741,001.
Board members also approved a tax levy of $74,517, the same as last year’s. A tax levy of $33,177 for the pubic
library was also approved, which is less than a 5 percent increase over last year’s. The levy is the amount the
library board requested,
In another matter, the mayor told trustees that he had written a letter expressing concern about high-speed rail
through the village and what it would do to the community. The letter expressed concern about the safety of
children and of all residents, and about the fire department and high school.
Yokley said he sent the letter to Congressmen Aaron Schock and Dick Durbin and Gov. Quinn. Copies went to
Todd Smith, who represents the village on the county board, to County Board President Andy VanMeter and to Rep.
Rich Brauer.
Yokley announced that he also sent a letter to VanMeter recommending that, if necessary to prevent layoffs of
deputies, he personally supports a sales tax increase. He told trustees that if they have problems with his view,
they are free to write a dissenting opinion letter.
“With all they’ve done for us, I hate to see a reduction in manpower,” he said.
Trustee Mike Barnett suggested that residents be charged $50 the first time, $100 the second and $500 the
third time to re-connect the water after it has been shut off because of non-payment of the bill.
“Isn’t that just a little steep?” Trustee Janice Beyers asked.
Yokley relied that residents get plenty of notification, and that they can call the village hall to set up a meeting
with Trustee Mark Esker or himself to work out a payment plan. When they just ignore the bill, “I have no sympathy,”
he said.
Trustee Valerie Patterson suggested that people be told it will be handled in a confidential way.
City Clerk Carol Beal said that one-half to three-quarters of people who do not pay are repeaters. Yokley said the
village should start keeping track of repeat offenders.
Yokley asked Barnett to meet with his committee and draft a letter explaining the procedure.
The board approved spending $56,735 for a repairing the sanitary sewer along Harpole to Jones street.
Petersburg Plumbing & Heating will start right after Christmas and the street should reopen Jan. 4 or 5, with an
easy detour meantime. Public Works Director Kent Thompson pointed out that the village saves money by doing
the work now rather than during summer.
The village received one historical marker for Route 66 from the Route 66 Scenic Byways. People at the
University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point will design an exhibit costing $13,000. The city’s share will be $2000, plus
$1000 in in-kind donations. The board approved spending the money.
In a related matter, the board chose the design for the Buy Local campaign banners.
Yokley directed Beyers and Patterson to investigate getting the old train station on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Trustees agreed to showcase military heroes on the village Web site. It will be a mix of old and young, with
names of living World War II veterans and those serving active duty.
The board gave consensus to purchasing two trees with the Tornado Relief Fund. Beyers said one would be to
recognize what the village went through in the tornado and the second to be dedicated to the fire department to
thank those volunteer firefighters for all they did after the tornado.
The village received $217,000 through the Safe Routes to School Grant, Esker said. A new survey will be taken,
with work to be done this summer.
The board extended leaf burning through Dec. 19 to allow people who still have leave and branches they could
not get to because of the wet weather.
for 2010
By Linda Hughes
The Williamsville Village Board approved a 2010 deficit budget at its meeting Monday. The budget anticipates
revenues of $631,269 and expenditures of $829,577 in the general fund.
All other funds are in the black, Mayor Tom Yokley said. The village has reserves to cover the deficit. The fiscal
year for the village is the same as the calendar year.
Last year the general fund anticipated revenues of $687,728 and expenditures of $741,001.
Board members also approved a tax levy of $74,517, the same as last year’s. A tax levy of $33,177 for the pubic
library was also approved, which is less than a 5 percent increase over last year’s. The levy is the amount the
library board requested,
In another matter, the mayor told trustees that he had written a letter expressing concern about high-speed rail
through the village and what it would do to the community. The letter expressed concern about the safety of
children and of all residents, and about the fire department and high school.
Yokley said he sent the letter to Congressmen Aaron Schock and Dick Durbin and Gov. Quinn. Copies went to
Todd Smith, who represents the village on the county board, to County Board President Andy VanMeter and to Rep.
Rich Brauer.
Yokley announced that he also sent a letter to VanMeter recommending that, if necessary to prevent layoffs of
deputies, he personally supports a sales tax increase. He told trustees that if they have problems with his view,
they are free to write a dissenting opinion letter.
“With all they’ve done for us, I hate to see a reduction in manpower,” he said.
Trustee Mike Barnett suggested that residents be charged $50 the first time, $100 the second and $500 the
third time to re-connect the water after it has been shut off because of non-payment of the bill.
“Isn’t that just a little steep?” Trustee Janice Beyers asked.
Yokley relied that residents get plenty of notification, and that they can call the village hall to set up a meeting
with Trustee Mark Esker or himself to work out a payment plan. When they just ignore the bill, “I have no sympathy,”
he said.
Trustee Valerie Patterson suggested that people be told it will be handled in a confidential way.
City Clerk Carol Beal said that one-half to three-quarters of people who do not pay are repeaters. Yokley said the
village should start keeping track of repeat offenders.
Yokley asked Barnett to meet with his committee and draft a letter explaining the procedure.
The board approved spending $56,735 for a repairing the sanitary sewer along Harpole to Jones street.
Petersburg Plumbing & Heating will start right after Christmas and the street should reopen Jan. 4 or 5, with an
easy detour meantime. Public Works Director Kent Thompson pointed out that the village saves money by doing
the work now rather than during summer.
The village received one historical marker for Route 66 from the Route 66 Scenic Byways. People at the
University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point will design an exhibit costing $13,000. The city’s share will be $2000, plus
$1000 in in-kind donations. The board approved spending the money.
In a related matter, the board chose the design for the Buy Local campaign banners.
Yokley directed Beyers and Patterson to investigate getting the old train station on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Trustees agreed to showcase military heroes on the village Web site. It will be a mix of old and young, with
names of living World War II veterans and those serving active duty.
The board gave consensus to purchasing two trees with the Tornado Relief Fund. Beyers said one would be to
recognize what the village went through in the tornado and the second to be dedicated to the fire department to
thank those volunteer firefighters for all they did after the tornado.
The village received $217,000 through the Safe Routes to School Grant, Esker said. A new survey will be taken,
with work to be done this summer.
The board extended leaf burning through Dec. 19 to allow people who still have leave and branches they could
not get to because of the wet weather.
Issue Date: Dec. 17, 2009