Williams Bay board adopts 2024–25 budget, holds levy at $10,012,740

The Williams Bay School District board on a voice vote adopted the 2024–25 annual budget and set the tax levy at $10,012,740 while preserving the district’s levy level from the prior year.

At the meeting, Jennifer (staff member) summarized the budget presentation, saying, “what I'm presenting to you at least today is keeping our levy the same as last year, which is $10,012,740.” She told trustees the budget plans to use about $1,200,000 of the district’s referendum authority (voters had allowed up to $1,250,000) and includes roughly $200,000 in staff wage increases to bring lower-paid employees “up to within 5% of the median of Walworth County school districts.”

Jennifer explained that the district paid off an energy-efficiency debt last year and plans to repurpose the annual $400,000 debt payment into general operations, enabling the board to hold the levy steady. She said the budget includes a minimum 3% cost-of-living increase for staff and absorbs an estimated 9% health insurance increase.

Board member S7 read the tax-levy resolution aloud during the meeting: “I resolve that a tax in the amount of 10,012,740 be levied on all property real and personal ... for the 2024–25 fiscal year resulting in a tax rate of 0.0045.” In discussion, Jennifer confirmed the district’s allocations within that total—$8,500,000 for general operations, $1,325,000 for prior referendum debt, and other smaller funds—and noted the mill rate projection of $4.50 per $1,000 as equalized property values rose.

Trustees moved and seconded adoption of the budget and approved it by voice vote; the transcript records the board’s verbal “aye” without a roll-call tally. The agenda item and vote were presented as the formal budget adoption for the fiscal year.

What this means: the board’s action keeps the district’s levy unchanged for taxpayers while allocating funds for staff compensation adjustments and normal operations. The administration said it expects to rely on part—approximately $1.2 million—of the referendum authority approved by voters last year rather than the full $1.25 million allowed.

Next steps: The board finalized the levy resolution and will proceed with the normal process to publish required budget and levy notices. The board also scheduled follow-up work sessions to review longer-term compensation models and facility priorities.