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Whitefish Bay trustees debate keeping 2.5% "Market Basket" levy target as sinkhole and utility costs loom
Summary
Trustees discussed whether to keep the village's 2.5% Market Basket levy target amid inflation, rising utility projects, and a multi‑million‑dollar sinkhole repair; staff and trustees agreed to ask departments for needs‑based analyses and return with options, not to change policy immediately.
Trustees spent a substantial portion of the Aug. 26 meeting debating whether the village''s longstanding 2.5% Market Basket levy target remains appropriate in light of rising costs, inflation and a major unexpected capital need.
Multiple trustees said the sinkhole repair and other capital needs (water projects, North Shore Fire draft budget obligations and vehicle/equipment cost increases) make a fixed 2.5% target difficult to meet without deferring maintenance. One trustee summarized: 'we're going to have to borrow for it,' and staff said borrowing over 20–30 years is likely for the sinkhole project.
Staff and trustees reviewed inflation data and alternatives. Some board members favored tying a Market Basket to a published inflation index (CPI) or separating wage/benefit growth from operating expenses. Others warned that a moving target tied to CPI could handcuff operating budgets in low‑inflation years. Trustees repeatedly said they want department‑level staffing and needs analyses so the board can weigh 'needs versus wants' rather than picking an arbitrary number now.
Practical steps: staff will return with proposals and more departmental detail during budget season. Trustees also discussed separating utility rate changes (water, stormwater) from levy calculations because utilities can be 'lumpy' and distort year‑to‑year levy metrics.
Context: library staff and public safety representatives told the board that wages, insurance and contract obligations are consuming the 2.5% allowance. Nama, who identified herself from the library, said the rising costs of materials and services mean the same operating dollars now buy fewer books and services.
Next steps: trustees asked staff to provide departmental budget analyses, footnotes and options for a phased or index‑based approach; no formal policy change was made at the meeting.
