Suamico board unanimously adopts 2025 budget, raises levy to $6.02 million

The Suamico Village Board on Nov. 11 unanimously adopted the village'025 budget, approving Resolution 24013 after a public hearing and a brief presentation by Finance Director Demony.

Finance Director Demony told the board, "The levy presented in the 2025 budget is $6,018,607," an increase of $194,000 over the current levy year, and said, "The proposed mill rate is 3.967 per thousand," explaining the change would amount to about a $26.50 increase on a median‑value property and about $4.77 per $50,000 of assessed value.

The approved levy is allocated roughly 59% to operations, 24% to capital projects and 17% to debt service, Demony said. Compared with 2024, operational levy revenue rises about $146,000 and capital levy about $351,000, while debt service falls about $303,000 — a one‑year reduction Demony said is being applied toward capital work, including the Lineville project.

Demony outlined program‑level changes the board considered: a renewed law enforcement contract adding about $75,000, a shift of one part‑time firefighter to full‑time that increases personnel costs by about $56,000, and a 3.5% base wage adjustment across staff estimated at roughly $50,000. He also noted a $92,000 revaluation expense offset from a revaluation sinking fund.

On proprietary funds, the board kept the village garbage collection fee at $190 for 2025 and retained the stormwater REU fee at $40 per REU. The stormwater budget includes an anticipated $112,000 grant to help pay for the Sunset Beach Culvert replacement and increases a transfer to the stormwater sinking fund from $25,000 in 2024 to $40,000 in 2025. Demony said a large projected loss in the stormwater fund reflects the planned use of Monsanto settlement funds received in a prior year, held in fund balance.

Demony reviewed tax incremental districts, noting TID 2 is being evaluated for early closure in 2025 and TID 4 (the urban edge area) will be a revenue source for Lineville project debt service beginning in 2026; he estimated initial Lineville debt payments near $150,000 but warned amounts could change depending on final financing and revaluation.

After the presentation and a period for public comment during which no speakers addressed the budget, a trustee moved to approve Resolution 24013 to adopt the 2025 budget (and the 2026–2029 budgets as guides) and the 2025 fee schedule. Trustee Romas seconded. The clerk recorded a roll‑call vote with Trustees Andrews, Eckert, Romas, Mckeefree and President Fenraza each voting "Aye," and the motion carried unanimously, 5–0.

Earlier in the meeting a resident commended local election workers amid state‑level election issues, saying a poll worker "did a really good job" and showed "a lot of grace under pressure." The board closed the public hearing and adjourned the meeting the same evening.

What happens next: the village will implement the adopted 2025 budget and proceed with capital financing steps for the Lineville project and other listed projects; staff noted sewer utility fees may be adjusted after their separate 2025 budget adoption.