The Village stands before a logistical and financial intersection at which services, required infrastructure improvements, and ongoing maintenance must be carefully positioned to achieve its goals.
Unfunded mandates for infrastructure have been issued from the EPA and Wisconsin DNR while we have used the fund balance previously available for debt service stabilization.
Additionally, the recent fluctuations in inflation rates over the past four years have not been considered as an increase in projected expenditures as part of the tax levy process. The result has been an increase in actual expenditures, which has been stabilized by a fund balance from previous years. With that stabilization amount coming to a halt at the same time as inflation is impacting our labor cost, it is important to recognize these factors as part of the Village's budget planning process.
The Village Board reviewed the Finance Department's projections in the 2025-2034 Long Range Plan and 2025 Budget Outlook at their meeting on Monday, August 5. The Village will be carefully evaluating how to proceed in funding replacement of our 100 year-old infrastructure. In times like these, a return to the basics become important, considering strategy and direction for the Village overall, while keeping in mind any necessary triage needs that would provide an immediate impact. Those items specifically are a new Public Works facility and the required DNR Lead Service Line replacements and water mains.
Contact with any questions via email at rewald@shorewoodwi.gov or call at 414.847.2701.