Boyceville approves $1.11 million budget for 2016

By LeAnn R. Ralph

BOYCEVILLE  —  Following a public hearing, the Boyceville Village Board has approved an expense and revenue budget for 2016 of $1,108,302.

The Boyceville Village Board held a public hearing on the budget at 4:30 p.m. November 19.

No members of the public attended the budget hearing, and Village President Gilbert Krueger expressed disappointment that there were no village residents in attendance to ask questions or give their opinions about expenditures.

The 2016 budget represents a 5.36 percent decrease over the 2015 budget.

On the revenue side of the budget, the line item for property and equipment sales is almost a 1,000 percent increase at $37,889.

The property and equipment sales revenue for the 2015 budget is listed as $3,283.

The reason for the increase is because the village is hoping to sell some residential lots in 2016 and may also contract for more logging on village property, Krueger said.

The EMS loan reimbursement line item on the revenue side is $17,844.

Village Trustee Herb Dow asked about the EMS loan.

The amount represents the money the ambulance service is paying back to the village for the new ambulance station, said Cindy Swanepoel, village clerk-treasurer.

Many years remain on the loan repayment, she said.

The Village of Boyceville took the lead for the municipalities in the ambulance district on securing a $240,000 state trust fund loan for the new ambulance station.

As for the expense budget, here are some of the changes:

• Village clerk — $50,000, which is a  $10,000 increase over 2015.

• Police department — $150,803 — a nearly $4,000 decrease over 2015.

• Fire general salaries — $4,000 — a $4,000 decrease.

• Ambulance general salaries — $5,000 —  a $5,000 decrease.

• Machinery and equipment — $18,000 — a $2,000 decrease.

• Maintenance of curb and gutter — $5,000 — a $3,500 increase.

• Street signs — $10,000 — a $3,000 increase.

• Street lighting — $32,500 — a $2,500 increase.

• Storm sewer maintenance — $6,000 — a $3,500 increase.

• Airport fuel costs — $9,000 — a $3,500 decrease.

• Library — $121,750 — a $6,300 decrease. On the revenue side, the county aid to the library of $58,064 represents an $11,000 decrease over 2015.

• Summer recreation — $7,000 — a  $3,500 increase.

• Celebrations and entertainment — $22,000 — a $2,000 increase.

• Village hall  — $8,500 — a $5,800 increase.

• Community center  — $20,000 — a $20,000 increase.

• Office equipment — $1,000 — a $2,500 decrease.

• Squad car — $5,000 — a $5,000 increase.

• County Trunk O/West Street — $52,000 — a $52,000 increase.

• Granbakken Court — $30,000 — a $30,000 increase.

• Pafko Park — $5,000 — a $5,000 increase.

Many line items show decreases in small amounts of a hundred dollars or $500.

Other business 

In other business, the Boyceville Village Board approved a letter to send to AT&T about the use of the Boyceville water tower as a location for cellular telephone equipment.

Following a closed session, the Boyceville Village Board approved hiring Jennifer E. Niehoff for a limited-term position in the police department.