The Village Board passed the 2008 budget at this evening's meeting.  The actual difference you will see on your tax bills should not be that great (2% to 3%), unless your reassessment was signficantly out of line with the rest of the Village. 

If you would like to know whether an item of interest to you is included in this year's budget, or in future years' budgets, refer to this quick summary.

Additional documents on the 2008 budget will be forthcoming soon.

At tonight's Village Board meeting, they passed Resolution 2007-11, urging the State Legislature to pass the annual budget promptly. The resolution mirrored one passed earlier this month by the Intergovernmental Cooperation Council of Milwaukee County. The ICC has urged member municipalities to pass similar resolutions to increase pressure on the legislature.

Also included in the resolution were requests to avoid creating new unfunded mandates, and to include a cost of living increase in the budget numbers. These, along with levy limits and state aide to municipalities are the primary ways the State of WI budget affects municipalities and school districts.

In each of the last 3 election cycles, I have heard the question posed many times: "Would you support bringing back sidewalk snowplowing?" This is a question best addressed during budget season, since this is the time when real changes can be brought about through choosing which programs to fund, and at what levels.

For those of you interested in sidewalk snowplowing issue, or any other funding priority, now is the time act, since budget season is when programs like this are enabled. If you think we should repave our streets more often, or keep the library open later, or stop spending money on marketing Shorewood, or if you think you pay too much for parking tickets, this is the time to say so. Now is the time you can suggest finding a full time trampoline compliance officer…Or maybe we can put that one to rest once and for all.

The article in this week's edition of ShorewoodNOW mentioned that only 2 residents attended the budget listening session this last week. For those of you who did not attend, but who feel strongly about any of the issues above, I invite you to send me your comments and suggestions on the budget.

Some things to think about...

Should we bring back sidewalk snowplowing? Should we spend money to rejuvenate Atwater beach? Should we keep spending money on marketing Shorewood? Should renters have to pay $45 per month to park in public lots overnight? Should we fund a full time code compliance officer? Should the Library be open longer? Should the Library be given money for more books? Should we acquire the 5 acres next to the Milwaukee River? Should we have more Police? A new Police Station? Should all of our polling stations open for every election? Should we enable online payment of fines, bills, and taxes to the Village?

Which of these issues are important to you? Open dialogue is the only way our elected officials will ever know what is on your mind, or what issues are important to you.

Now is the time to speak up.

A few quick updates for you:

1. We now have a new reporter from NOW assigned to Shorewood. His name is Dave Fidlin. Hopefully the quantity of reporting about what is going on in Shorewood will show a noticeable uptick.

2. Groundbreaking for the athletic field renovation took place this past Friday. They held a ceremony during the final football game to be played on the old field. There will be an update from the D2D committee at tomorrow night's Village Board meeting.

3. Oakland Ave reconstruction is now well underway.

4. Budget season has begun for the Village. Listening sessions are scheduled at the following times and places.

• Monday, September 10, 2007—7:00 p.m.—Court Room—Listening Session
• Tuesday, September 18, 2007 – 7:35 p.m.— Committee Room
• Thursday, October 4, 2007 – 7:35 p.m.—Committee Room
• Wednesday, October 10, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.—Committee Room
• Wednesday, October 17, 2007 – 6:30 p.m.—Committee Room
• Saturday, October 20, 2007 – 8:35 a.m.— Committee Room