Suamico trustees adopt 2026 budget, send cemetery staffing question to future meeting

Trustees in the Village of Suamico voted unanimously to adopt the village's 2026 budget and accompanying fee schedule, approving Resolution 25023 after a public hearing and discussion.

Finance Director Deminy presented the budget during a public hearing, reporting a proposed levy of $6,090,798 for 2026, an increase of roughly $72,000 from 2025. Deminy said the village revaluation reduced the village's mill-rate burden per homeowner; she told the board that the presentation's figures equate to about a $5.89 decrease on a median-value village property and roughly $0.72 less per $50,000 of assessed value for the village portion of the tax bill. "The decrease is attributed mostly to the village revaluation," Deminy said.

Deminy outlined levy distribution and notable changes: roughly 58% of the levy is budgeted for operations, about 20% for capital and about 22% for debt service. She said operational levy rose modestly from 2025, capital levy decreased and the debt levy increased to smooth out payments tied to previous refunding bonds and Lineville-related financing. On revenues, Deminy highlighted increasing transportation aids and state-shared revenues while noting declines in road permits and cable franchise fees.

Capital projects in the 2026 plan include a larger road reconstruction allocation and Calavera playground equipment funded from the park and recreation sinking fund. Deminy said TID 1 has a final project period that concludes as the district winds down, TID 2 is in closing with payouts to other taxing jurisdictions, and TID 4 remains open through 05/19/2029 and may contribute to Lineville-related debt payments projected to begin in 2028.

Trustees asked for clarification on several items. One trustee questioned whether a forthcoming new well or water storage project would be included in the approved budget; Deminy replied that those costs are part of the utility budgets to be presented to the Public Works/Utilities committee and then to the board, likely in December. Trustees also discussed the availability of a tax-impact calculator used on prior tax forms to help residents estimate the village's share of the tax bill; staff said the calculator is not currently posted online and cautioned it does not reflect other taxing jurisdictions.

A substantive portion of board discussion focused on the cemetery director line in the budget. One trustee objected to a $3,350 budgeted amount for the cemetery director, arguing many operational tasks have been handled by public works or other staff and asking for a detailed breakdown of responsibilities and revenues before approving any change in role or compensation. Board members and staff noted an existing April 2024 agreement that pays the director $250 per month plus $100 per lot sold and that the contract automatically renews but may be terminated with 90 days' written notice. Staff advised that any changes to the director's compensation or duties would need to follow contract-termination procedures and that the village could owe compensation for the notice period under the agreement.

Trustees asked staff to return with a detailed agenda item that lays out the cemetery duties, who performs each task, and a revenue/expense breakdown to inform a future board decision. "We need to understand that as well," Trustee Romas said while asking for the item to be scheduled.

After discussion, Trustee Romas moved and Trustee Andrews seconded a motion to approve Resolution 25023, which adopted the 2026 general fund, special revenue funds, debt service fund, capital project funds (including TIDs 1, 2 and 4), garbage/recycling and stormwater funds, the accompanying levies and the attached fee schedule. A roll-call vote recorded Trustees Andrews, Eckert, Romas, Stevens and President Van Grama voting aye and the motion passed 5-0.

The board also approved an updated garbage/recycling collection fee of $195 per year (a $5 increase from 2025) and kept the stormwater fee at $40 per residential unit. Deminy said the stormwater fund's unrestricted cash balance is estimated at about $310,000, more than nine months of operating expense.

Trustees praised the clarity of the presentation and suggested producing outreach materials, such as a blog or podcast, to help residents understand the village portion of the tax bill and the budget choices. The board adjourned after a motion by Trustee Romas, seconded by Trustee Stevens.

What's next: Staff will prepare the requested cemetery-duty breakdown and the utility budget items for presentation as described; no additional action on the cemetery director was taken at this meeting.