The $2.02 million budget reviewed by the city of Oconto Falls on Monday night includes pay raises for workers, new youth baseball equipment and a UTV for the park and recreation department, and a small decrease in property tax bills for 2016.
New construction, including The Cottages at MeadowLands and Bellin Health Oconto Falls in 2015, increased the total equalized property value in the city by 7 percent, compared with just half a percent in 2014. The increase boosted the city tax collections by 4.4 percent and provided a 1.8 percent increase in spending in the general fund, without raising the tax rate for property owners.
The city will collect $1.006 million in taxes, compared with $964,146 for 2015. Alderman Don Osborne said it was the first time in about 10 years the city’s tax levy topped $1 million.
Owners of a $100,000 house will pay $746 in taxes, $8 less than they paid last year.
For 2016, the city did not commit funds for Memorial Field renovations, but instead will rely on sponsorships and donations to fund the development of a baseball field. The city budgeted $3,000 for half of the cost of a new roof at the Lions Club’s concession stand at Memorial Field.
Absent from the budget is money for street repair; the city in 2015 completed several projects and is paying back a portion of the $1.565 million loan for state Highway 22 improvements.
Marty Coopman, chairman of the finance committee, said the budget covers everything the city needs and thanked ST Paper for its 2015 contributions used for police and fire department equipment and the library roof.
“ST Paper helped out tremendously,” he said.
No members of the public attended the budget hearing on Monday.
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