Dodgeville council readies budget for November 21 hearing

By John Dalton

Budget and Capital requests were discussed for the 2024 budget at the regular Common Council meeting Tuesday.

The city heard requests from Library, Ambulance, Fire, Police and Public Works directors and unanimously approved their requests for its 2024 budget.  A public hearing will be held November 21.  

In summary, total capital requests, including tax levy amounts, total $943,500.00.  City Clerk-Treasurer Lauree Aulik will publish the draft budget for public inspection.  

The total 2024 revenue budget proposed is $3,039.467.00 (a 7.40% increase).  The total 2024 expenditures proposed is $5,579.799.00 (a 5.09% increase).  Local property taxes should see a decrease in local property taxes to $2,227.888.00 (a -8.27% decrease).  

In other new business the council approved the purchase of police body cameras as the old camera’s have worn out.  Police chief Shannon Jasica will purchase these at $64,900.00 over a 5 year period.  She asked the council to approve the contract for $20,000.00 and to buy them now from Motorola and re-budget the balance in 2024.  

The council also approved a request from Jasica to hire two part-time officers at the part-time rate of pay and put them through the police academy from January 2024 through July.  She said two very qualified individuals have already been selected and monies for the academy will come out of carryover funds.  

Other approvals include:

-Approval of a ‘Scope of Engagement’ with Quarles & Brady LLP to represent the City as bond counsel for the issuance of $1,170.000.00 General Obligation Community Development Bonds, Series 2023C.

-Resolution 2023-14:  Initial Resolution Authorizing $1,170.000 General Obligation Bonds for Community Development Projects in Tax Incremental Districts.

-Resolution 2023-15:  Directing Publication of Notice to Electors Relating to Bond Issue.

-Resolution 2023-16:  Providing for the Sale of Not to Exceed $1,170,000 General Obligation Community Development Bonds, Series 2023C.

-Other resolutions on the agenda were tabled until a later date.

Also approved was the 2023-2024 Library Annex Lease agreement with Dennis J. Marklein for $650.00 per month. 

The consent agenda for the Minutes from October 3, 2023 were approved as were the claims from October 17, 2023:

General - $327,734.87

Water - $27,313.15

Sewer - $15,633.93

Total - $370,681.85