Proposal includes slight decrease in tax levy
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
The Racine County Board is expected to act next week on a 2012 budget that includes a modest decrease in the property tax levy.
County Executive James Ladwig unveiled his proposed $142.5 million budget three weeks ago. It includes a 0.01 percent decrease in the overall levy. To date, Ladwig’s budget has not been altered by County Board members since the initial presentation.
“I am conscious of the continuing difficulties faced by Racine County residents,” Ladwig said Oct. 11 during an address to the County Board. “I am also conscious of the county’s obligation to deliver to its residents the services that they need, but at a price they can afford. This budget takes full account of all those considerations.”
The $142 million budget is a reduction from the 2011 budget of $143 million. There have been cuts in Ladwig’s proposal, including the elimination of 44 employees.
Since Ladwig’s announcement, county officials have gone through a number of channels, including a public hearing Oct. 27. One county resident, from Racine, spoke at the hearing and praised county officials for holding the line on taxes, but also encouraged the board to look even further at trimming the budget and levy.
The County Board’s Finance and Human Resource Committee reviewed the budget Wednesday, after press deadline, and could recommend changes before a vote is taken by the full board Tuesday, Nov. 8.
“Changes are conceivable at (the committee meeting), and there could be amendments suggested,” said Geoffrey Greiveldinger, chief of staff for Ladwig, in an interview Tuesday. “But I don’t anticipate any changes coming forth. I haven’t heard anything about any suggestions.”
During his official unveiling last month, Ladwig outlined a number of highlights in his proposed 2012 budget. The county will benefit from Gov. Scott Walker’s Act 10 legislation, Ladwig said, though there was a trade off because of a decrease in monetary contributions from the state.
By increasing county employees’ contributions toward retirement and health care costs, Ladwig said the county will save about $1.5 million. But Ladwig said the savings will be offset by a decrease in state funding for a number of initiatives, including state highway maintenance.
Ladwig’s budget also includes a proposal to borrow $1 million annually, over a four-year period, to assist in funding loans administered by the Racine County Economic Development Corporation. The goal, he said is to use those funds to spur economic development and job creation.
In an effort to realize savings, Ladwig has proposed consolidating two departments, folding the separate public works and planning departments into a joint Department of Public Works and Development Services. The merger will result in the loss of one supervisory position.
Moving forward, Ladwig said, intergovernmental cooperation will be a key component to addressing ongoing fiscal constraints at all levels of government. He pointed to the town of Burlington’s decision to contract for sheriff’s patrol services as one example.
“That arrangement is a perfect example of how we can work with other local governments, both within our county and across county borders, to the benefit of all our residents,” Ladwig said.
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