Board members began their regular November meeting with a hearing on the 2010 budget, but no residents in attendance wanted to speak about it.

Clerk Mary Klingenmeyer said the village property tax levy for 2010 would be just over $847,000, exactly the same as the amount of taxes charged in 2009.

With state aid, fees and other income supporting the village, West Baraboo is slated to spend just under $1.57 million in 2010, according to budget documents. It is actually about $4,000 less than what was budgeted for 2009.

"The operating budget is reflective of what I thought to be a 0-percent increase," Klingenmeyer said.

She noted while the general operations tax levy has remained the same, the tax rate will increase by a small amount because property values have fallen, spreading the same levy amount over a smaller total property value. The result will make the 2010 tax rate for village operations about $7.32 per $1,000 compared to this year’s rate of about $7.31 per $1,000, Klingenmeyer said.

A comment of "Oh whoopee," could be heard in the village hall.

Klingenmeyer said she had not yet gotten the figures for including costs of the village’s tax increment financing districts in the levy. She expected it would raise the tax levy with TIF districts included to about the same as last year, $8.25 per $1,000.

"I expect it will be at that or very close," Klingenmeyer said.

Village officials also discussed a few modest spending additions for 2010.

Village Public Works Director Robert DeMars presented a request for a new public works pick-up truck that would replace a 2000 Chevrolet model. He said he has two different trucks in mind, each fully equipped, except for needing to have an emergency light installed.

The costs of the pick-ups would be either $22,700 or $27,400, he said.

Klingenmeyer said the village has unspent money in several 2009 budget lines that can cover the cost of a new truck for the Public Works Department.

Board members also discussed spending $22,00 to have the Wisconsin Department of Transportation place a casing under Old Highway 33 to allow village sewer and water pipes to be extended north of that road. The project would be preparation for future development as the village expands along Highway 12.

"For $22,000, that’s about the best investment we can make," said Trustee Ray Getschman. "I’m saying you ought to do it guys, you ought to do it."

The village has won a clean water grant and state loan to cover costs of building a village water well. DeMars said he expects it to be in operation later in 2010.

Village officials said they do not expect to do any other major capital improvements or street projects in the new year.

Klingemeyer said an exception would be if there was a proposal to re-develop the former Don Larson car dealership on Linn Street at Mulberry, the village would have to consider reconstructing Mulberry Street.

"We looked at that and I think that’s a long shot," said Trustee Gale Getschman who is on the Public Works Committee.

After discussion board members approved the 2010 budget unanimously with the two additions.

Information about West Baraboo including village officials names and contact information, agendas and minutes for village meetings and local ordinances may be found online — http://www.vi.westbaraboo.wi.gov.