 Have you been to the lighthouse lately? If so, you may have noticed some new work is underway. Crews are in the process of improving drainage around the northwest area of the building so that stormwater can flow away from the foundation of the building. Crews will also be replacing the dormers ("dog houses") on the second floor of the building for better insulation and protection of the roof. The purpose of these projects is to improve the safety of the facility and to help avoid more costly maintenance in the future.
The proposed 2014 Village Budget will be considered for approval at the November 14 regular meeting. I am pleased to be presenting a fiscally responsible budget that will allow us to continue providing high quality Village services while planning for some of the long-term needs of our facilities and infrastructure. Thank you to the Village Trustees and staff for their assistance in preparing the budget!
~President Pete Christensen
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| Highlights of the Proposed 2014 Budget |
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The proposed 2014 Village Budget includes a proposed property tax levy (Village portion) of $1,098,883, a 0.4% increase over 2013. Due to an increase in the Village's total assessed value, the proposed tax rate would decrease from $4.35 per $1,000 in value to $4.27. On average, the owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay $854 for the Village portion of the tax bill.
Highlights of the proposed 2014 budget:
- 0% increase in State shared revenues and 10% decrease in State transportation aids
- Estimated $18,439 in Local Road Improvement Project (LRIP) funds toward repaving Beacon Lane in 2014
- General administration increase of 3.8% due to office computer and server upgrades
- $80,000 budgeted for street maintenance, including patching, sealing, striping and shouldering - adding valuable life to the Village's roads
- Postage decrease of 12.5% due to switching from the mailed newsletter to E-News
- Capital improvements of $26,000 at the lighthouse and tennis courts
Please contact me at 639-3524 or administrator@windpointwi.us if you have any questions regarding the proposed budget.
~Michael Hawes, Administrator
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 This weekend is Daylight Savings Time! Fall back one hour on Sunday, November 3 at 2 a.m. Also, remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors - "Change your clock, change your batteries."
- Trick-or-Treating in Wind Point will be this Sunday, November 3 from 4 to 7 p.m.
- The last Branching Day for the year is Tuesday, November 12th. Branching will resume in May 2014.
- Yard Waste Collection continues every Monday through November 25 and will start up again next April.
- The Village Administrative Office will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving.
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The Board reviewed a proposal from the City of Racine for fire services that includes a 2% increase over each of two years. After discussion, the Board referred the question of response time and the contract to Trustee Hammes for a report at the November meeting.
The Board approved an agreement with Gordon J. Maier & Co. to provide services for the 2013 and 2014 audits.
Village Engineer Mark Madsen gave updates on the Chatham Circle re-paving project and flex-patch work on Lake Meadow. Mr. Madsen will look into the 2007 lighthouse tower paint project to more specifically address the timing and cost estimates regarding re-painting it.
Trustee Sanabria reported that an applicant for a zoning permit to run a type of group home was denied. The Board directed staff to further explore the issue of group homes relative to the Village's zoning code.
The Board approved a change order to the drainage project at the light house and also approved the hardi-plank restoration of the dormers ("doghouses") on the lighthouse main building.
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October 14, 2013 Special Meeting
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The Board approved an amendment to the 2013 budget to reflect additional revenues for fire dues and Local Road Improvement Project (LRIP). The amendment also included reductions in expenditures for election costs, general government outlay (for computers), police supplies and park equipment. Increases in expenditures for general administrative due to administrator recruitment, small equipment and IT, risk and property management, Police small equipment, lighthouse improvements and street construction were included.
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| Take the Wind Point Watershed Survey! |
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 People who use, live in or work in the Wind Point watershed are asked to complete an online poll about the watershed area. This survey is an opportunity for you to share your views and help the planning effort that is now underway. Completion deadline is November 30.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension Natural Resources Education Program is conducting the survey, which also includes questions about the Lake Michigan shoreline and surrounding land. Survey results will be posted in December on the Wind Point Restoration page of the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network website . The survey will help with watershed restoration planning in the Wind Point watershed.
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