Early figures predict nearly $100K increase
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Budget review season is in full swing in Whitewater as city staffers conduct extensive reviews of the 2015 document with members of the Common Council.
City Manager Cameron Clapper laid out some of the highlights of the proposed budget at a council meeting Oct. 7. Plans call for the overall budget to total $9.47 million, which represents a $94,360 increase from the 2014 budget.
“This budget is the result of the diligent efforts of city staff in striving to maintain very modest and responsible department budgets,” Clapper wrote in an introductory report in a 289-page document pertaining to the 2015 budget proposal.
One of the most scrutinized issues in the 2014 budget building process was mass transit. The long-term prognosis of the Innovation Express bus line, overseen by the Janesville Transit System, came into question as funding sources began drying up.
Heading into 2015, Clapper said the funding picture for the bus line — which has stops in Janesville, Milton and Whitewater — is clearer.
Early in 2014, the number of stops were trimmed as a cost-cutting measure. In spite of this, Clapper said ridership numbers increased this year.
“Staff recently met with representatives from Janesville Transit, Milton, UW-Whitewater and Generac to discuss funding for 2015,” Clapper said. “The actual cost of continuing the service as it is currently for 2015 is estimated at $439,264. The City of Janesville is absorbing the first $200,000.”
After Janesville’s contribution is taken into account, $117,799 is to be funded through state and federal funds and ridership fares. The remaining funds are to be split among various entities, including the three municipalities receiving the service.
Clapper said Whitewater is to contribute $15,423 toward the program next year, and the amount has been included in the proposed 2015 budget.
The property tax levy is expected to rise next year. As with all municipalities across the state, however, Whitewater has constraints on the rate of increase. Madison lawmakers have capped it at the rate of new construction.
Next year, Clapper said he anticipates adding $26,066 in levy dollars to Whitewater’s 2015 budget.
While the city is finding a few new revenue sources, including the additional taxation, Clapper laid out some of the ongoing challenges, including rising costs for existing services.
“As they do every year, health insurance premiums will go up for 2015,” Clapper said. “A total of 62 full- and part-time employees take advantage of the city’s health insurance program.”
Clapper and Finance Director Doug Saubert anticipate health insurance rising $87,688 next year — the result of higher premiums and increased participation into the program from prior years.
Several line items have been removed from the 2015 budget. Case in point: Whitewater is no longer planning to fund crossing guards.
“The city has invested in signage at intersections known to be used as cross points for children walking to school,” Clapper said. “The city has worked with the Whitewater Unified School District throughout the last year to address the signage and visibility at intersections in anticipation of this budget change.”
The proposed 2015 budget presented last week by Clapper incorporates three new or modified positions — two full-time and the other at a 0.75 full-time equivalency rate.
The positions include a human resources coordinator, sports coordinator through the parks and recreation department and an administrative assistant within the department of public works.
Clapper and the council will conduct line item reviews of the municipal budget throughout the next month.
