Village of Luck adopts $597,711 2025 levy; approves fee hikes, equipment purchases and personnel pay increases

VILLAGE OF LUCK — The Village of Luck board on Nov. 13 adopted a $597,711 levy to fund its 2025 budget and approved a series of related administrative and personnel measures.

The board approved Resolution #11-13-24 adopting the 2025 Village budget levy in the amount of $597,711.00 on a unanimous vote after a public hearing that produced no public comment. Committee member Sonja Jensen moved the resolution and Committee member Ron Steen seconded the motion.

Why it matters: The levy establishes the village’s primary property-tax authority for the next year and accompanies other financial decisions the board approved at the meeting, including fee increases and equipment purchases recommended by the Finance Committee.

The board adopted several Finance Committee recommendations to take effect Jan. 1, 2025: a new operator license fee of $25, a renewal operator license fee of $15, a street-use permit fee of $50 and a special vendor event fee of $50. The board also authorized the purchase of two new village office computers from Connecting Point for $2,198.00, a purchase recommended by the Finance Committee.

Committee member Ron Steen moved and Committee member Jerry Kruse seconded approval of the proposed 2025 golf budget; the board approved it unanimously. The board also voted to extend an existing moratorium for six months on a recommendation from the Citizen Advisory Committee and referred the Lakeview Estates development concept to the Planning Commission for review.

Personnel actions: Following a closed session held under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider employment and compensation matters, the board announced a 10% pay increase for the chief of police, effective Jan. 1, 2025, and a $1.00 hourly increase above the union contract for the village treasurer, also effective Jan. 1, 2025. The treasurer was directed to track hours between golf and village duties. The closed session and its outcomes were moved and recorded with roll-call votes; the actions were reported out in open session.

Other actions and reports: The board approved a revision to the Northwestern Municipal Ambulance bylaws and voted to incorporate the "Housing Study and Needs Assessment Luck Wisconsin2020" into the Village of Luck Comprehensive Plan 2008–2030. Committee chairs provided brief reports including a new foam unit for the fire department, two new fire volunteers and a notice that Northland Ambulance is raising rates.

Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda: Motion by Committee member Ron Steen, seconded by Committee member Jerry Kruse; outcome: approved unanimously. - Consent agenda (minutes, checks and vouchers, operator licenses): Motion by Committee member Mike Broten, seconded by Committee member Mark Beidleman; outcome: approved unanimously. - HWY 48 detour: Motion by Committee member Sonja Jensen, seconded by Committee member Bridget Cleary to investigate the north option and consult DNR; outcome: approved unanimously. - Lakeview Estates referral: Motion by Committee member Bridget Cleary, seconded by Committee member Sonja Jensen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Northwestern Municipal Ambulance bylaws change: Motion by Committee member Sonja Jensen, seconded by Committee member Jerry Kruse; outcome: approved unanimously. - Office computers ($2,198): Motion by Committee member Sonja Jensen, seconded by Committee member Stephanie Mueller; outcome: approved unanimously. - Fee increases (effective Jan. 1, 2025): Motion by Committee member Sonja Jensen, seconded by Committee member Jerry Kruse; outcome: approved unanimously. - Golf budget (2025): Motion by Committee member Ron Steen, seconded by Committee member Jerry Kruse; outcome: approved unanimously. - Moratorium extension (6 months): Motion by Committee member Bridget Cleary, seconded by Committee member Stephanie Mueller; outcome: approved unanimously. - Budget Resolution #11-13-24 (2025 levy $597,711): Motion by Committee member Sonja Jensen, seconded by Committee member Ron Steen; outcome: approved unanimously. - Housing study incorporation: Motion by Committee member Stephanie Mueller, seconded by Committee member Mark Beidleman; outcome: approved unanimously.

What’s next: The minutes record that the board adjourned at the close of the meeting. Several items were referred for further review (Lakeview Estates to the Planning Commission); there was no public testimony during the budget public hearing.

(Report compiled from Village of Luck meeting minutes; actions and wording reflect motions and roll-call statements recorded in the meeting document.)