The South Milwaukee City Council on Wednesday approved a revised 2021 budget, reflecting a $195,000 reduction in expeneditures from what was passed in November.
The end result: a 0.7% reduction in the city tax levy from 2020, to $11.4 million. The tax rate also decreases to $9.81 per $1,000 in asssessed valuation in 2021. The changes will be reflected in tax bills being mailed in the next couple weeks.
The change was the result of an error in how we calculated our debt. Our staff, through our internal processes, caught the mistake this week, an we immediately brought it to the council’s attention, and sought passage of the revised budget. It passed 7-0.
The reduction in expenditures will be spread across departments, and we have asked our deparment heads to manage any cuts so service delivery is not signifcantly impacted. We also reduced our economic development fun by $25,000 and contingency fund by $10,000 to help fund the reduction.
Mistakes happen, especially during a time when we are being asked to manage a number of generational challenges at once. And the buck stops with me. Thankfully, we caught it, we learned from it, and we are going to take steps to improve our internal processes to ensure we catch issues like this sooner.
Amid a pandemic, and taking precautions to play as safely as possible, the South Milwaukee boys’ and girls’ basketball teams are already turning heads with big wins.
The girls, seeking their third straight Woodland East Conference title, are off to a 6-0 start, including a huge upset win over Division I power Oak Creek on Nov. 27. Watch a replay of the game here.
And the boys, behind first-year head coach Lance Marifke, split a pair of games with conference favorite Brown Deer this week — including a 47-42 upset win at Sullivan Gymnasium on Friday. Check out a replay here, and a feature on Coach Marifke and Peter Dufek (the new football coach) in the current edition of Bridges magazine (page 10).
Progress continues on the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan, as key chapters are now being produced for feedback. Next up: Public review and discussion of a draft of chapter 5, “Watershed Goals and Management Objectives,” set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9 via virtual meeting.
From the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission …
To the Stakeholders for the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Plan,
We have scheduled a Stakeholder meeting for Wednesday December 9th, 2020 from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. via GoTo Meeting (online or via phone).The intent of this meeting is to briefly review and receive comments on Plan draft Chapter 5, “Watershed Goals and Management Objectives.”
You can also dial in using your phone: 224-501-3412 | access code: 832-928-285.
The plan is expeced to be complete at the end of 2021, delivering the roadmap we need to begin making major and necessary investments across the watershed. See a revised schedule here.
To stay safe during COVID, we took our tree lighting virtual on Thursday.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this happen, including all of our special guests, especially our high school faculty singers, the Clauses, and local nurse Deanna Hebner, who flipped the switch with her two children. South Milwaukee’s MidKoast Entertainment, LLC handled AV — well done!
We’re starting a new tradition at this year’s tree lighting … choosing someone from the community to help us flip the switch. This year, we decided to honor someone who has stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We had a number of deserving nominees … and this evening, I want to send a special thank you to nurses. These are some of the real heroes during the pandemic.
I thank our public health nurses and all of our public health professionals with the City of South Milwaukee — in communities everywhere — who have stepped up in so many ways during the pandemic to try and slow the spread of this virus.
I thank school nurses, and nurses at our clinics and doctors’ offices. And I thank those at our hospitals. They are on the front lines of patient care, and they are doing amazing things amid incredibly challenging times.
In the 1850s, Florence Nightengale, maybe the most famous of nurses in history, was called a “ministering angel” for her work in field hospitals during the Crimean War.
One nurse was quoted as saying, “We have the opportunity to heal the heart, mind, soul and body of our patients, their families and ourselves. They may not remember your name but they will never forget the way you made them feel.”
This has also been said of nurses … “The definition of a nurse: To go above and beyond the call of duty. The first to work and the last to leave. The heart and soul of caring … who will pass through your life for a minute and impact it for an eternity.”
That is true now, more than ever, during COVID, where nurses are often leading the way in treating the sickest of the sick with the virus … putting in the hard, long hours to bring people back to health … often in their darkest hours … putting their own lives at risk … and often in full PPE.
And these days, those job descriptions are being expanded … as nurses now find themselves as a lifeline between hospital-bound patients and their families, perhaps connected through video chat … and are often there for patients in their final moments as too many people pass away from this terrible illness.
All of this … and then nurses go home to their families.
At today’s tree lighting, we honor nurses … nurses like Deanna Hebner. Deanna — a South Milwaukee resident, wife, mom and Cub Scout leader — is the head nurse at Ascension’s Franklin hospital.
In nominating her for this, Deanna’s mother-in-law noted …
“During months of working extra hours … she is exhausted but continues to go to work to save others. Deanna deserves to bring a little light in this darkness by lighting the tree. If selected I hope she will be able to include her two children in the lighting because of all the things that she does, her children always come first.”
When I spoke to Deanna yesterday she shared a little about what she and countless other nurses have faced during the pandemic. Her story is inspiring, even though she’d never admit it. She also knows it’s not just her story. It’s the story of countless nurses everywhere … and their passion for helping others, their courage amid sometimes impossible circumstances and their relentless, enduring hope through all of it.
“There are so many nurses that have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic,” she told me. “I am really proud of my profession.”
We all should be this holiday season, and we thank Deanna and all nurses today at our tree lighting.
Reminder: Join us on Facebook Live (city Facebook page) at 5 p.m. today (Thursday, Dec. 3) for our virtual tree lighting. or catch the recorded version.
We’ll be featuring Christmas music from several South Milwaukee High School teachers and a special, jolly guest.
We’re also be recognizing someone who has gone above and beyond to serve their community and help others during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had almost 20 people nominated for this opportunity, and we’ve chosen someone on the front lines of the fight against COVID to “flip the switch” and light the tree.
See for yourself, and hear her story, on Thursday. Merry Christmas, South Milwaukee.
Giving Tuesday is today, Dec. 1, and it reminds me that South Milwaukeeans always step up to help those in need — especially around Christmas, especially during the pandemic.
Don’t know where to start? Here are opportunities to give back locally.
Of course, I always turn to South Milwaukee Human Concerns, and they are serving more people than ever — sponsoring more than 700 children this Christmas alone, Executive Director Deb DeBoer tells me. She said they can especially use gift cards for holiday gifts for teenagers from places like GameStop, Walmart and McDonald’s, but please consider giving money, too. I know they can use it not only during the holiday season, but all year long. And why not give your time?
Get behind the South Milwaukee Industrial Museum, which opens as part of the Bucyrus Club next summer. Details and links to give can be found here.
“We serve.” That’s our motto as South Milwaukee Lions. They can use your support throughout the year, financial and in volunteer power, to in turn give back to local organizations in need.
Want to help the South Milwaukee Police Department? Support DARE. From Chief Jessup: “DARE is the largest, most recognized anti-drug and violence program in the world and is taught by specially trained police officers. Our officers go into the South Milwaukee elementary school classrooms to teach a series of one hour lessons designed to help young students cope with some serious risks. The topics include: learning the harmful effects of drugs, tobacco and alcohol, strategies for resisting peer pressure, and the damaging impact of bullying. Any donations to the program go toward classroom supplies and graduation certificates. If interested in donating, please contact Officer Jim McLean at mclean@smwi.org.”
The South Milwaukee Fire Department can use support for its in-school fire safety programs, and other public education efforts. Contact Chief Knitter (knitter@smwi.org) to see how you can help.
South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Support the terrific performing arts in South Milwaukee, especially during the pandemic, with audience size and shows limited. Consider donating in person at one of the upcoming socially distanced holiday shows coming to the PAC. This Saturday, Studio K presents “Flamenco Nutracker,” and the South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company presents a radio show version of “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Dec. 11-12. Details here.
And how about the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network? They are the nonprofit that will play a major role in bringing the Oak Creek Watershed plan to life by securing funding for and leading various watershed restoration projects.
Did I miss any? I’m sure I did. Send your favorite local charities along!
Games for Christmas? Absolutely! Shop downtown at Pink Bunny Games for trading card games, board games, table top games, and more. Also, check out the Board Game Barrister clearance center.
Speaking of handmade items, shop local on Etsy! Buy a bandanna, jigsaw puzzle, notebook and other HANmade item — designed by South Milwaukeean Colleen McCarrier. Or some unique wood items from Dr. Box, a “family-owned business making wooden deluxe beverage transportation and extraction systems.” Do you live in South Milwaukee and sell handmade items on Etsy? Comment below with your link and I’ll see about including you on a future post.
Staying with collectibles, check out South Milwaukee-based MEARS Online Auctions, which has one-of-a-kind vintage sports gear, toys, and military items up for bid as we speak. Wise Owl Auctions also operates from downtown South Milwaukee.
Give the gift of performing arts with tickets to an upcoming show at the South Milwaukee PAC.
And, finally, let’s not forget local chains, many of them owned by local franchisees — small business owners themselves — places like South Milwaukee Ace, Cousins, and others that all call our city home.
What did I miss? I’ve turned comments back on for this post, so please add your ideas. And shop local!
On this Thanksgiving Day, I’m thankful for many things — family, friends, colleagues, co-workers.
I am thankful for my home, my health, my hope for a better future, knowing some do not have any of that. I’m thankful for the food I eat, knowing some will go hungry tonight.
I am thankful, and humbled, by the trust you have given me to lead this city during these most difficult of times. I am also thankful for our team of city workers, who continue to deliver on our promise of a promising future, in a year filled with historic and unprecedented challenges. Some are working this holiday weekend.
But today, I offer a special thanks for health care heroes. Their roles are many and varied at our hospitals, clinics, physician offices, senior care facilities, public health departments, and anywhere else workers and volunteers have stepped up to put their own lives at risk to help others during the pandemic. Many are working today, as our hospitals groan under the weight of a surging number of coronavirus cases.
Do you have a health care hero you’d like to recognize, or anyone else who has stepped up during the pandemic? Nominate them to flip the switch, as we light the city Christmas tree on Thursday, December 3. Here is the form.
Be safe, South Milwaukee, and do you part today and in the months ahead to help these heroes by living the common-sense measures necessary to see us through to a virus vaccine. Wear a mask. Avoid gatherings. Socially distance. Practice good hygiene. Isolate if you’re sick. Act responsibly. I can’t think of a better way to honor these people … especially on this Thanksgiving Day.
Tim Schneider, owner the The SHOP in South Milwaukee, regularly posts to his Facebook page how “s*%# gets fixed” at his vintage motorcycle repair business. Now, he needs the same thing.
Tim was recently diagnosed with cancer, and needs help to fund treatment.
Schneider was recently diagnosed with a cancer called Multiple Myeloma. Eventually, it will damage his immune system, kidneys, blood and bones. It’s incurable, but treatment can bring the cancer into remission and improve his quality of life.
It’s also extremely expensive to treat, and while the small business owner has health insurance, his out-of-pocket expenses and inability to do the hands-on motorcycle wizardry he’s know for, are only adding to Schneider’s burden.
So, Schneider’s friends, led by Evan Barnes, are stepping up. They’ve created a GoFundMe page, and in just a few days, they have raised almost $35,000 to assist in his out-of-pocket expenses. But they need to raise more.
Tim moved his business to South Milwaukee in 2016, relocating from Bay View and making a major investment to transform a former auto body shop into one of the coolest properties in town. Now let’s invest in him.
The city tax rate will increase 1.2% to $9.98 per $1,000 of valuation. The increase is a little higher than the levy increase of 0.99% due to a small reduction in equalized property valuation locally.
Budgeting is the most important thing we do as elected leaders, and I want to thank the council, city administration and all of our department heads for their work on it. Budgeting is a team effort in South Milwaukee, from building it to passing it to, most importantly, bringing it to life. That is where our front-line workers come in, and I thank them too. Forward!
Caterpillar, Ace Hardware and the City of South Milwaukee are again teaming up to bring some holiday magic to the public space at 11th and Madison Avenues.
Trees, donated by Ace, arrive at the site on Nov. 24, are open for decoration by Dec. 15, and will be on display December 16 to January 1, weather permitting.
Do you want to decorate a tree, individually or as a team, group, organization, etc.? Email Karin Wierman at Caterpillar at Wierman_Karin_A@cat.com.
Thirty trees available are for decoration. Karin is asking each group to set up a time to decorate their tree, and that groups be kept under 10 people.
Please consider stepping up to be part of this new South Milwaukee holiday tradition. It’s an especially great opportunity for families.
It’s a Christmas like no other in 2020 — safe, socially distanced yet still special in its own way. That’s why we’re making our tree lighting virtual!
Join us on Facebook Live (city Facebook page) at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3, or catch the recorded version. We’ll be featuring high school a cappella singers and a special guest. Here is the Facebook event …
We’re also adding a special feature this year: recognizing someone who has gone above and beyond to serve their community and help others during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you or someone you know deserves the honor of “flipping the switch” to light the tree, please sign up now using our Google form: https://forms.gle/NGCph2dfxCuEwtM37
Deadline for nominations is noon on Monday, Nov. 30.
The proposed 2021 City of South Milwaukee budget was published earlier this month, and the public hearing is set for 6 p.m. this Monday. The City Council meets on Tuesday to consider passage.
You can see an updated version of the document — reflecting new data that has come in recently — here. Some highlights …
Revenues are expected to increase 0.08%, to $9.55 million.
Expenditures are expected to increase 0.58% to $21.88 million.
The budget calls for a 0.99% increase in the city tax levy, to $11.6 million. The city’s net new construction growth from 2019 to 2020 was +0.07%; therefore the city’s base levy was allowed to grow by that same amount. This is the 13th straight year where the city’s net new construction growth measured 1% or less. The final levy increase is higher because the base levy limit imposed by the State of Wisconsin excludes post-2005 debt service payments.
Health insurance continues to be a big burden for us, but we were able to bring down an initial proposed increase of 16% to under 10%.
The budget reflects the referendum passed in 2017, which has helped us keep funding for public safety stable and will for years. We have again segregated the extra revenue from the referendum to support the sustained funding of our paramedic program and the 2018 hiring of two new police officers. We feel it’s important to segregate the funds this way to ensure taxpayers can see the additional revenue is being spent in exactly the way we said it would. We will continue to deliver this transparency.
The published budget included a 2% across-the-board salary increase plus step advancement for general employees. Since the budget was published, the South Milwaukee Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1633 and the city have come together on a new two-year contract, effective Jan. 1, that has a 1% pay raise on July 1, 2021; 2% December 1, 2021; and 2% July 1, 2022. The police union contract, which also expires at the end of 2020, is still being negotiated.
Pandemic response will continue to be a priority in 2021. It has to.
Of note, the 2021 budget does not include additional city funding for those efforts, as we continue to await additional support from the federal and state government (as what happened in 2020). Should that not come, which looks increasingly likely before the end of 2020 amid the partisan back-and-forth in a broken Madison and Washington D.C., we will be forced to look at various cost-cutting measures — or drawing from our budget reserves — to continue the fight, in hopes reimbursement comes later.
This is a situation local governments across the state find themselves in as we continue to lead on pandemic response — and why it is so critical that lawmakers, President Trump, and Gov. Evers take action now to help.
No matter what happens there, we continue to be responsible stewards of taxpayer money, and this budget shows it.
Ask Moody’s. They have consistently reaffirmed South Milwaukee’s strong Aa2 bond rating and recently cited our “strong financial position” in doing so.
Ask the Wisconsin Policy Forum. They recently found South Milwaukee’s per capita municipal tax levy to be the third-lowest among Milwaukee County communities. Similarly, we stacked up well in their measures of net operating spending per capita (second lowest) and debt (also third lowest). Do your own comparisons here.
As I’ve said, we are overly reliant on the property tax in Wisconsin, and South Milwaukee. Studies have shown this over and over again. We need alternative funding solutions, to ensure we can continue to deliver the services you have come to expect from us, enhance them where possible and maybe add new ones. Until lawmakers have the courage to have this conversation and act, things won’t change.
And it only gets harder from here, as the state faces a huge budget shortfall for its next biennial budget, one that may see significant pain pushed down to local governments.
I will fight against that, reminding state leaders the most important work of government happens at the local level. Our people provide the services you see everyday, and I can’t thank our department heads and front-line workers enough for delivering, in these most difficult of times.
Making sure our people have the resources to do their jobs is one of our most important mandates as elected officials. I will never forget that — and I will support budgets that reflect it, like this one.
Visiting again this year, Santa’s elves will be back looking to honor the South Milwaukee homes and businesses with the best outdoor holiday lights displays. Winners will receive a yard sign and recognition on the city website and Facebook pages — and be the envy of your block, and city.
By emailing them (with the address) to Katie Crosby at crosby@smwi.org.
We will then upload entries to our Facebook page, with followers being able to vote for the best of the best. Deadline to enter: Noon on December 14. Voting will begin on December 15!
Please step up and support this COVID-friendly Christmas tradition!
It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
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