Verona unveils proposed 2025 budget with 3% COLA and new personnel, sets amendment timetable

Verona city staff presented the proposed 2025 budget to the Committee of the Whole on Oct. 28, outlining a plan that meets the municipal levy limit and includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for employees.

The presentation, delivered by Mr. Olick, said the proposed budget meets the municipal levy limit of $16,546,337 and that the city’s equalized property value exceeded $4,000,000,000 in the year referenced. Olick said growth — residential, commercial and industrial development — continues to expand Verona’s tax base, producing roughly $800,000 in additional revenue from net new construction in the budget year.

The proposal recommends a 3% COLA to retain and attract staff and includes several personnel additions: a full-time deputy director for the senior center, a full-time parks employee, a full-time permit specialist (offset by reduced contracted services), a uniform police officer starting mid-year, a 0.25 FTE increase to an existing case manager position, and an assistant city administrator position to support departments and bolster grant-writing capacity.

On capital and operating items, Olick said the budget funds routine replacement and equipment requests and aims to reduce debt reliance by about $2,200,000 using carryover funds. Levy-funded green initiatives highlighted in the presentation include a recommended $45,000 solar panel project, $8,000 for the Verona Parks tree program and $39,000 for an electric Chevrolet Equinox and associated charging equipment for the building inspector. Revolving funds are slated to cover vehicle replacements (including patrol vehicles and the city’s ambulance share), and other carryover funds would support projects such as pedestrian and bicycle path construction ($1,063,000) and an ADA fishing pier and kayak launch.

Olick also reviewed revenue changes that affect the operating budget: an estimated increase in state aid (quoted as roughly $16,600), a projected decrease in highway aids of $94,774 tied to a past county highway project rolling off a five-year average, an expected interest revenue increase near $154,000, and higher permit and building-fee collections projected at about $58,003.23. He noted health insurance employer share increases of 8.42% for general employees and 9.17% for law enforcement, and modest Wisconsin Retirement System rate changes.

Debt and borrowing were addressed: total debt service was shown at $6,192,000; the presentation referenced a proposed borrowing segment of $925,000 (within a larger borrowing figure mentioned) and utility borrowing near $1,878,000 tied to the EPIC tax-increment district. Olick cautioned that a future public works facility would likely increase the mill rate when funded.

Mr. Olick provided homeowner examples: an estimated 2025 city tax on a $460,000 home of $1,884 and the 2024 city tax on a $400,000 home of $1,814, while the presentation quoted a city portion mill-rate figure rendered as '4 and 0.095 per thousand dollars of assessed value' in the slide material.

He closed by outlining the amendment and adoption schedule: budget amendments are due Nov. 7 at 9:00 a.m. (submit to 'Brian' as noted in the presentation), and the public hearing with possible passage is set for Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m.; Olick reminded members that any proposed amendment must be balanced with offsetting revenues or cuts.

The Committee of the Whole did not take action on the budget at the Oct. 28 meeting. The meeting adjourned and the Common Council was scheduled to reconvene shortly thereafter.