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NEWSROOM * CIRCULATION * ADVERTISING
Tuesday
September 2010
7
Blog Archive
Posts for November, 2009
Vote Today - School Referendum
Today is "election" day for the Whitefish Bay School Referendum. (Note: That's the only item on the ballot.)
Go Vote.
The facts are these:
Question 1 is to issue $9m in bonds for replacing roofs, tuck pointing, upgrading heating & ventilation, upgrading electric, etc, etc. The mill rate impact estimate is .35. Debt is retiring in the amount of .35 on the mill rate. If Q1 fails, the mill rate for School taxes goes down .35, or about $125 on a $350k house, If Q1 passes, the mill rate goes up, then down the same amount, for a net tax impact of zero.
Question 2 is to issue $13.9m in bonds for "Educational Improvement" .. multi-purpose rooms, new music room, science lab space, technology upgrades, etc. The mill rate estimate for Q2 is .71, which means a $350,000 home can expect a tax increase of $248/year if Q2 passes.
These mill rate estimates include interest cost and losses to state aid. The estimated interest rate was 5.5%, which is worst-case. WFB has a chance at getting zero-percent federal stimulus loans, contingent upon referendum passage.
Personally, I'm voting "yes" on both questions. While the economy is gloomy, it also presents the opportunity for low construction and interest costs that are spread out over decades.
While I've lived here and paid into the system without having a child at school for a dozen years, I've been in the schools a number of times. I've honestly been surprised at how many areas of the schools look sad. -- There's an odd juxtaposition of the high standards we keep everything else in the Bay, our homes, our streets, our parks .. with the condition of the school buildings.
I believe that over the long term, we should improve our schools at regular intervals. Our last public vote to do this was 14 years ago. As the debt for that rolls off, we should look to the future.
Both WFB Referendums Pass
( I would have posted this last night, but the NOW blog platform was not working.)
Here are the results:
YES on Question 1:
2719 - 1219 (69.2%)
YES on Question 2:
2054 - 1883 (52.2%)
I'm surprised at the turnout, nearly 4000 votes. In April, only 3,069 folks voted for 4 different Trustee candidates, 5 different School Board Candidates, and a handful of judges.
Interesting that almost 1000 more people come out for a referendum, than to elect leaders.
I guess the "the referendum was scheduled for low voter turnout" argument didn't work out so well, since there was a heavy turnout.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Referendum Recap..
Just a few bits of commentary on yesterday's referendum.
I was not surprised both passed, but the numbers did surprise me.
Knowing last April's ballot count of about 3,000, I'd expected the turnout for this referendum to be far lower than that.
In April '09, the ballot was long with items. 17 contesting candidates, 9 local, were listed. I would guess that close to 1,000 lawn signs were planted around the Bay.
Add in a few contested judge races, a state-wide Superintendent race, and every resident recevied a couple dozen pieces of mail, and some robo-calls, reminding people to vote (for them.) -- Not to mention the door-to-door effort by candidates saying hello.
So with all that mail, and all that media attention, 3,000 voters came out in April. 4,000 voters came out for the referendum.
There's an irony that more people will vote on a referendum that might cost ~$40m over 20 years, than will evaluate and vote for 9 village leaders, who spend $51m EVERY YEAR. (Fun with math: that's $1+ billion over 20 years.)
(One blog commentor suggested that's because there's a lack of differentiation between candidates. Indeed, local races can come down to popularity contests, versus substantitive ones, no doubt.)
With the high voter turnout, the "ramming this through / scheduling for low turnout" argument was deflated. People came out to vote. Lots.
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I think local leaders should take note that 31% of the electorate did not vote for Q1. Q1 was nicely set up as a net-tax wash for (mostly*) no-brainer items like fixing roofs, almost making it a "who wants ice cream?" election. But a third of our neighbors didn't go for that, so you have to respect why.
Perhaps some of the 31% were perhaps private school families, some didn't like the money spent on security improvements, maybe a few didn't want to fix roofs, or wanted maintenance to be performed piece by piece, but most (I imagine) were voting to reduce tax burden, plain and simple.
The tax-burden voter jumps to 48% for Q2, although with Q2's menu of (optional) improvements, there's less of a conclusion to draw. Important, still.
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A quote from the paper from the CWFB group caught my eye, that they were "surprised and disappointed for the people of Whitefish Bay."
Surprised that both passed? Disappointed for all of Whitefish Bay, that a majority of voters voluntarily chose to be taxed more for schools?
I'd go the opposite way. No surprise nor disappointment .. it confirmed by vote, something about us, about our appreciation of education, and a willingness to dig deeper for students, even in a terrible economy.
Not everyone is happy today, but that's the nature of taking a measure to the electorate.
But "the people of Whitefish Bay" aren't disappointed today. I'd suggest we are blessed that the community did some personal financial calculus and voted for more pain and sacrifice.
I'm thankful to live here.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Flag Raising - Armory Park / Holiday Stroll
The Armory Park project is moving quickly.
The flag pole is up, and a flag raising is scheduled for Veteran's Day, TOMORROW .. Wednesday November 11th at 7:15am. The public is welcome to attend!
(Picture courtesy Gordy Lang)
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Two other November events to mention .. first is the annual Holiday Stroll / Parade on November 27th down Silver Spring, the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Parade starts at 6pm.
If you or your group are interested in walking in the parade, shoot an email to Karen at karen@bayridgeconsulting.com
Check out the WFB "Shop" website for details.
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Finally, the North Shore Junior Woman's Club is hosting their second annual community event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21. “The Great Hunt .. Shopping for Charity” features home-party products in one location. The event will be held at 304 E. Silver Spring Drive, next door to Starbucks, in Whitefish Bay. For information call (414) 332-8966
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Whitefish Bay 2010 Budget
The Whitefish Bay Trustees spent the month of October discussing the 2010 Village budget. I have been hesitant to write about the proceedings, because my observations about the budget aren't shared by all.
However, what I write below is material that is from public documents, or spoken during meetings that are of public record: Had you been in the audience, you would know all this already.
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The Trustees' discussions have centered around the 2009 surplus, fund balance percentage, tax levy increase, and general spending issues.
In this year, 2009, WFB is projected to have a $750,000 surplus of taxes collected versus budget expenditures. How did that happen? Here's a rough schedule:
* The Police Department budgeted for $35k more than needed for gas. (The outlook for a gallon of gas was quite different in 2008.)
* Street Maintenance - Bids came in $170,000 lower than estimated.
* Debt Service - $100,000 lower than expected due to the decline in interest rates.
* The big miss was $406,000 that WFB earmarked for a capital contribution to NSFD (fire). Turns out that was unnecessary.
* The Trustees will be voting to use $500k to pre-pay a portion of a loan that will save ~$25k/year in interest.
* From 2005-2009, the Village has collected $2.8 million in surplus tax revenue.
So what happens to budget surplus? Surplus at the end of the year, goes into WFB's General Fund Balance. Municipalities' bond ratings are partially predicated on their fund balance as a %age of budget. In 2009, our %age went from 27% up to 34%. In 2004, the Village was warned when this percentage hit 16%, that 20% was a better number.
For reference, the WFB School District has a fund balance target of 15-18%.
As I wrote about a month ago, Trustee Fehring had proposed a unique idea, in that we should use a portion 2009 surplus to zero out the tax levy increase for 2010. The 2010 increase was scheduled to be 2.52%, or about $328,000. Seems like a solid idea. Taxpayers overpaid in 2009, so let's apply some to the 2010 bill, in addition to paying down debt.
However, there is a principle of budgeting, that general fund balance "should not" be used for ongoing future expense, but should be reserved for "one time" expenses. That argument won the day, and the Trustees focused on six "one time" projects to shift from the 2010 tax levy, to the 2009 surplus (fund balance). A single $18k project was knocked out, leaving $146k of 2010 expenses to be paid for by 2009 surplus.
This lowers the 2010 tax levy increase from $328k down to $182k, or about a 1% tax levy increase.
HOWEVER. NOTE WELL: By lowering the 2010 tax levy this way, the PERCENTAGE of tax levy increase from 2010 to 2011 will be higher. 2011's tax levy increase was projected at 4.45%. Because we're lowering the 2010 levy, 2011's projection of 4.45% now becomes 6.15%. 2011's budget stays the same, but it's comparison to 2010 looks worse on a percentage basis. -- Remember, using 2009 surplus saves taxpayers' money, since some of 2010's expenses are paid for by 2009's surplus (fund balance).
The expected 2010 1% tax levy increase is where some stop caring about the story. The original +2.52% increase would have been good, +1% is even better.
I think the prevailing attitude is that as long as there is the belief that Village staff is delivering services properly, and the levy increase is low, then there is no need to economize.
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Other Details:
If you compare what was (projected to be) spent in 2009, to what is budgeted in 2010, you get this:
Debt Service: Up $281k or 20.39%
Wages & Benefits : Up $314k or 5.98%
Contractual Services: Up $96k or 1.96%
Equipment: Up $22k or 3.65%
In summary, 2009 (projected) expenses increase 7.2% for what is currently budgeted in 2010.
The increase in Debt Service is understandable .. it is going up because street and sewer reconstruction costs big dollars, and 2010 will be one of the most active years for reconstruction in decade(s). The Village is miles below its debt ceiling, and is doing well in that regard.
Wages & Benefits goes up primarily due to a 10% increase in Health benefits cost, but also includes contractual/union salary increases. To note, the DPW's contract ends in 2009.
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It was argued that Villagers like "stability" in their tax levy, increasing at a slow, constant rate. WFB contracts with Shorewood for our shared Health Department. When the 2010 bill came in $10k less than 2009 (due to declining WFB usage), did that $10k trickle through and reduce the tax levy? Nope. Without debate, the $10k was added to the Contingency budget item, to help the 2010 tax bill for residents remain "stable."
Lastly, I will add this, since I proposed it in a meeting open to the public, and of public record. As the Trustees had yet to cut a single dollar from the $13m recurring budget, I made an attempt, and proposed trimming 25 line items in the amount of $77k -- none of which would have had any material impact on any service in the Village. My goal was to tighten up the numbers and reduce the taxpayer bill. This package of cuts was dismissed.
As you may be able to divine, I've been frustrated with this, my first budget process. I do not believe the budget has wasteful spending, but I don't believe there is any belt tightening, either. I realize there is a trade-off for economizing yearly versus "stability" in future tax levy increases. I'm fine with that. It's harder to explain, but the taxpayer comes out ahead in real dollars.
Tomorrow, Monday, November 16th at 7pm, there will be a Public Hearing on the 2010 Budget, where any member of the public may speak. Copies of the budget are available at Village Hall. The budget is up for final passage following the hearing.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Reminder .. Lock your doors
Just got a "Recent Crime Notification" from the WFB PD. (Sign up here.)
Last night (Saturday, or probably early Sunday morning) there were 10 cars entered, and one screened porch with various items stolen.
The common thread? All of them were UNLOCKED.
You can imagine "unknown actor(s)" walking around while everyone slept, trying each and every car.
Lock 'em up, people. And if you live in the areas below .. did you see anyone walking around, jiggling doors?
Burglary
- Sometime between 10:00pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 4:00am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked screened porch (3 season room) in the 4700 block N. Sheffield and removed a laptop computer.
Entry To Auto
- Sometime between 3:15am and 8:00am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 4700 block N. Sheffield. Change taken.
- Sometime between 10:00pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 8:10am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 800 block E. Courtland. Unkown at this time what, if anything, was taken.
- Sometime between 11:30pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 8:33am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 4700 block N. Woodruff. No items taken.
- Sometime between 5:00pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 9:10am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 4900 block N. Woodruff. A cellular phone and change taken.
- Sometime between noon on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 8:30am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 4700 block N. Idlewild. A purse and contents taken. Purse, minus credit cards, recovered.
- Sometime between 7:00pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 5:00am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 4700 block N. Elkhart. A GPS unit taken.
- Sometime between 12:30am and 9:10am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 4800 block N. Sheffield. A purse and contents taken. Purse, minus credit cards, recovered.
- Sometime between 11:00pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 7:30am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 5000 block N. Woodburn. Change taken.
- Sometime between 10:30pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 10:00am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered an unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 5000 block N. Woodburn. No items taken.
- Sometime between 11:00pm on Saturday, 11/14/09 and 7:30am on Sunday, 11/15/09 unknown actor(s) entered two unlocked vehicle, parked on driveway, in the 800 block E. Sylvan. No items taken.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Trustee Meeting 11/16 - Budget passes
I don't know what to say here.
The Whitefish Bay Trustees took up the 2010 budget at yesterday's meeting. As posted, there was a public hearing for the budget prior to the official vote.
A grand total of zero people appeared for the budget's public hearing.
The vote was 5-1, as I dissented for the reasons I laid out in my post on Sunday.
I have to say I am bewildered. Thirteen days prior, ~4,000 Villagers turned out to vote on School referendums borrowing $24m for 20 years. That debate was healthy, had multiple factions and forums, and the turnout was high. Contrast that with the Village budget, where we'll spend $13m (plus another $10m in construction) in one year, yet .. no one's interest was piqued enough to show or comment.
It's great news, I guess.
The meeting was finished in a record 35 minutes, and I was home in time to read Goodnight Gorilla to my 1 year old, a priority that now seems greatly higher.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Silver Spring Happenings..
First up, this Saturday, Nov. 21st, Simon Oliver Menswear has its grand opening / ribbon cutting at 12 Noon. Website: http://www.shopsimonoliver.com
Simon Oliver is a menswear shop operated by Perry Newsom, who has 20 years of experience in the business.
Newsom explains Simon Oliver is “a sophisticated men’s retail destination with high-quality sportswear and formalwear for discriminating shoppers.”
The store’s lines include Corneliani, Angelo Nardelli, Gimos Leathers, and Breuer Neckwear. The store is named after their two teen-aged sons, Simon and Oliver.
Simon Oliver is the first store to receive a grant from WFB's "Retail Incentive Program" which aims to fill Silver Spring with new merchants.
Please, let's get a good crowd down there welcoming our newest merchant on Silver Spring. -- 318 E. Silver Spring, near Starbucks, Saturday at Noon.
Here's an idea .. go there for the Grand Opening, then hit Berkeley's for lunch, and help out your local merchants. Swing by Mobility for a new laptop, get a few dog treats at Hounds Around Town, a few trinkets at Winkies.
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Also .. The Holiday Stroll / Parade is next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving from 5-9pm.
The theme of this year’s parade is Holidays Around the World which culminates with Santa’s annual arrival to the Village.
Food and beverages, FREE pony, carriage & train rides, entertainment.
Stores will be open late with holiday specials, entertainment and treats for shoppers. Santa is sticking around M&I Bank, which is where he keeps his good/bad list.
The parade begins at 6pm, at the corner of Kent and Silver Spring Drive, heading east ending at Lake Drive.
I hope to be walking in the parade .. so if you shout "Village Spillage" you should have some candy coming your way.
The Holiday Stroll is sponsored by the WFB BID, WFB Civic Foundation, the Village, and pretty much every merchant on Silver Spring.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Berkeley's Closes: Ay, caramba!
Berkeley's is one .. and done.
Whitefish Bay residents Marija and Ryan Whitman closed Berkeley's today, after 13 months struggling with road construction, a bad economy, and mixed reviews. While beloved by a base of villagers, Berkeley's as it was just didn't have the customer counts to stay afloat.
However.
It will re-open this FRIDAY!
They are dramatically changing the interior space, with new colors, new lights, a new floor, new drop-ceiling (to cut the noise), a new menu, lower price point, and a brand new name.
The new motif? Mexican! ¡Ay, caramba!
They are still tossing around a few names for the new cantina. If you have a suggestion .. pass it on, I'll make sure it gets to them. Whitefish Bay-ritos? (hat tip: JK)
So .. make sure you come to Whitefish Bay's Holiday Stroll this Friday. The parade is at 6pm .. by 6:30, swing by Berkeley's v2.0 to warm up with something covered in hot sauce.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
New kids on the block.. (Silver Spring)
First off, the Whitefish Bay Holiday Stroll 2009 was a giant success. Credit goes to the WFB BID, who did a great job running the show.
I was surprised by the size of the crowd for the parade and festivities .. I think Silver Spring's renewal .. and the good weather had something to do with the great turnout.
I galactically miscalculated the candy requirements for the parade. Sorry, pint sized people.
Villagers in attendance would have seen three "new" businesses that opened their doors just in time for the Stroll.
Berkeley's closed on Sunday, and re-opened as El Guapo's on Friday. Same owners, new fresh Mexican menu, and interior. I checked in today, and they said business was great this weekend, with crowds big enough to generate 5-10 minute waits for tables.
It's amazing they did so well their first weekend with zero advertising. Shows the power of word of mouth. Will write more details about El Guapo's later.
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I wrote "Silver Spring Strikes Oil" a few months ago, and I like the line so much, I'm using it again. Oro di Olivia also opened on Friday, selling oil and vinegar. The store was packed on Friday night after the Stroll, and they said they did good business on Saturday as well.
Here's a picture of their store:
So if you have a hankering for some oil or vinegar .. now you know where to go. They give out samples in little plastic shot glasses. I hammered mine back like a shot of tequila, which apparently was not the way to go. Hello Breadsmith? Got any scraps?
Prices range from $12-25, but you figure the 6 bottle sampler for $35 will be the big Christmas seller.
Website: http://www.orodioliva.com
Simon Oliver also opened up in the last week. Here's their ribbon cutting:
Simon Oliver is “a sophisticated men’s retail destination with high-quality sportswear and formalwear for discriminating shoppers.”
The store’s lines include Corneliani, Angelo Nardelli, Gimos Leathers, and Breuer Neckwear. The store is named after their two teen-aged sons, Simon and Oliver.
Simon Oliver is the first store to receive a grant from WFB's "Retail Incentive Program" which aims to fill Silver Spring with new merchants.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
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