Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
City officials are mulling the possibility of adding a detective’s position to the Shawano Police Department as work continues on the 2015 budget.
The Finance Committee held its first meeting on the budget Monday and will resume in another closed session meeting at 7 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 127 S. Sawyer St.
Though it’s still early in the budgeting process, City Administrator Brian Knapp said things are in pretty good shape for 2015.
“We’re on pretty solid footing,” he said.
Projections for state revenue are in line with what the city received this year, Knapp said, and there will be no increase in insurance rates for 2015.
“That was a big break,” he said.
Budget and tax levy projections were not yet available but, Knapp said, the final product will be “a reasonable budget.”
This year’s tax levy went up roughly 1.52 percent, to $4.5 million, from $4.43 million in 2013.
The tax rate rose to $8.76 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2014; a 16-cent increase over 2013.
The city is discussing a number of capital improvement projects for next year, which would be paid for through debt financing, with some general fund balance applied and some general purpose revenue.
Knapp said officials are comfortable with the operating budget, but decisions still need to be made about staffing at the Police Department.
He said the department, both under Chief Mark Kohl and former Chief Ed Whealon, has asked for investigative support.
“It’s been identified as a need in the past and would help the Police Department in their mission,” Knapp said.
The department has no detectives.
Knapp also said the department might need a little more money or manpower put into code enforcement, with the department’s renewed focus on zoning and quality of life issues.
“They could use a few more hours,” Knapp said.
The Finance Committee expects to have a draft budget for the Common Council by the end of the month.
A public hearing would be held, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 19.