Council Approved Downtown Redevelopment Plan
12/16/08 - The Beaver Dam Common Council overwhelmingly approved a large-scale redevelopment plan last night. The city will borrow $1.5 million next year to acquire and demolish nine of 11 downtown buildings at 100% of their current assessed value, totaling $778,200 of taxpayer money. The buildings are located in the floodway over the Beaver Dam River, which is prohibited by state law and will eventually have to be removed. The purchase is contingent on the acceptance of a counter-offer from the city that seeks to make the language consistent in all contracts.
The council also approved the project plan for the new Tax Increment Finance District #6 in the downtown redevelopment area, and the blending of the new district with the current TIF #3. Once finalized, $16.5 million in TIF funds would be allocated to implement the proposed projects outlined in the redevelopment plan, specifically developer incentives but also for acquisition and demolition. The TIF District is expected to generate $30 million is assessed value. The TIF would continue through 2036 with the payout coming in its final three years. The creation of a new TIF District is vital in making the proposed senior living and Weyco factory apartments a reality, and also in funding the downtown redevelopment plan. Pictured: Alderman Robert Ballweg (front) questions property owner Michael Firchow (back) while Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation president Trent Campbell (right) – co-author of the redevelopment plan - awaits questioning.
Collective Bargaining Agreements Approved
12/16/08 - The Beaver Dam Common Council approved collective bargaining agreements with their full-time firefights, paid-on-call firefighters and water treatment plant workers. The firefighters both have three-year contracts ending in 2010 with 3% increases in the first two years, and two 2% increases in the final year. Treatment plant workers have a 2-year contract with a 3% increase for 2009 and two 2% increases in 2010. Mayor Tom Kennedy says the contracts are the same as the three-year contracts approved with the AFSCME union last year. Contracts still have not been finalized with the police union but Kennedy says it is imminent.
DC Sheriff’s Department Investigating Possible B&E
12/16/08 - The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department is looking into a Breaking and Entering at a home in the Town of Portland. Sheriff Todd Nehls says a homeowner reported that his front door had been kicked in and money taken from his home on Highway 19. He says they will be investigating whether there was any correlation between this incident and the rash of burglary’s that happened this past fall, though initially he believes it may be a new person or group.
Referendums to be on February Ballot in Waupun
12/16/08 - Residents in the Waupun School District will see three referendum questions on their ballots in February. That’s after the school board approved their addition at last night’s board meeting. District Administrator Randy Refsland says the questions will ask taxpayers to allow the district to exceed the revenue cap for three years by a total of nearly $5-million. The first question would be the most expensive for residents as the district is asking for $4-million over the three years to keep a number of district buildings operating as they currently do. If that question does not pass it’s possible that both Fox Lake and Alto Elementary would have to close.
BD School Board Approves Easement
12/16/08 - The Beaver Dam School Board voted unanimously to give the city of Beaver Dam permission to construct a stormwater detention basin near Jefferson Elementary to help improve stormwater flow in that area. The basin will be near the corner of Stone Street and Roedl Court in an area that is sometimes used for youth soccer. The stormwater utility will pay for the construction and maintenance and, in return, the school district will receive a 33 percent credit on its stormwater bill for that property, or a savings of about $860 per year.
BDUSD Audit “Clean”
12/16/08 - The accounting firm Virchow Krause presented their findings of an audit of the Beaver Dam School District at last night’s board meeting. According to Business Services Director Andrew Sarnow the report indicated a qualified audit meaning it was clean. Sarnow says the audit did note a few internal controls that could be implemented, including having one person handle cash and another handle the deposit. However, Sarnow says in a district the size of Beaver Dam it may not be possible because of budget concerns. In total the audit figured the district had about $530,000 more revenue than expenditures, which Sarnow says was put into the fund balance account.
It’ll be a White Christmas in Wisconsin
12/16/08 - There’s no doubt that Wisconsin will have a White Christmas. The only question is how deep the snow will be. The National Weather Service says a weak low pressure system in the Ohio Valley will give most of the Badger State a fresh coating of powdery snow today. Four-to-five inches are expected in the southern part of the state, and one-to-four inches elsewhere. Forecasters say a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain could hit Wisconsin Thursday night through Friday – and several more inches are expected from that. And still another round of snow is due in Saturday and Saturday night.
Gehl Company to Lay Off Workers
12/16/08 - A company in West Bend that makes agriculture-and-construction equipment is cutting almost a-fifth of its salaried workforce. The Gehl Company said yesterday it’s letting 62 salaried employees go, as well as 19 hourly workers. The recessionary down-turn in housing and construction was blamed. Most of the affected employees are at Gehl’s corporate offices in West Bend. Officials said most received severance or early retirement packages. Gehl also laid off 19 hourly workers at its manufacturing plant in Madison South Dakota. That followed the cutting of 46 hourly jobs about a month-and-a-half ago.
Smallest Increase in Property Tax Bills Statewide in Nine Years
12/16/08 - Wisconsin home-and-business owners are now getting their local property tax bills. And Governor Jim Doyle’s office says they have their smallest average increase in nine years – just one-tenth of one-percent. The typical bill on a 184-thousand-dollar home is 28-hundred-43-dollars – up four-dollars from a year ago. The governor says the increase would have been higher if it wasn’t for a new state tax credit the Legislature approved a year ago. It exempts the first 41-hundred-35 dollars of a home’s value from the school tax. Doyle said the average homeowner had a reduction of 35-dollars from what’s being called the “first dollar credit.” But that credit – as well as other state aid to local governments – may be in jeopardy next year. That’s when politicians will cover a projected five-point-four billion dollar deficit in the next state budget.
Authorities Release Name of Crash Victim
12/16/08 - An Oconomowoc man killed in a weekend freeway crash in Waukesha County was identified yesterday as 24-year-old Kyle Guerra. Authorities said he was going west on Interstate-94 near Waukesha Saturday night, when a van crossed the median and hit him. The second driver, a 41-year-old Waunakee man, might have suffered from a medical condition that made him lose control. Deputies are still investigating. Waukesha County sheriff’s sergeant Karen Ruff said there are no signs that alcohol was a factor. Five people, including four in the van, were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Department of Commerce Wants Cap on Film Tax Breaks
12/16/08 - Film industry tax-breaks and incentives have generated over $9.2 million and created a minimum of 850 temporary jobs in the state. That’s according to a new analysis by Film Wisconsin and comes on the heels of efforts by the Department of Commerce to cap the yearly tax breaks offered by the state. Film Wisconsin Executive Director Scott Robbe says the state will pay out an estimated $6.1 million in incentives, while production companies have spent an estimated $15.3 million. $4.6 million went to “Public Enemies,” which spent a day filming in Beaver Dam, but the film only generated $5 million dollars, which the Commerce Department called “a wash.” Robbe, however, says that does not take into account future tourism revenue from those wanting to see where their favorite movies were filmed. Commerce officials are quoted as saying that with all the economic problems facing Wisconsin it is “ludicrous” to think that paying 25% of a film director’s seven-figure salary somehow has a direct economic impact on Wisconsin. Robbe says scaling back tax incentives would be a “business-killer.” The film incentives law provides qualifying production companies a 25% tax credit for wages paid to employees to produce film, video, broadcast advertising or television programming. It also includes sales tax credits for cconstruction, wardrobes, clothing and visual effects.
Wisconsin Election Now Official
12/16/08 - Wisconsin has officially endorsed a winning president for the first time in 12 years. The Electoral College gathered yesterday to conduct the official White House vote. And all 10 of Wisconsin’s electors went with Democrat Barack Obama. It was a formality, since all the electors are supposed to choose the candidate who wins the popular vote. And Governor Jim Doyle, who was among the electors, said Wisconsin made a “strong statement” in choosing Obama. He said 59 of the 72 counties endorsed the president-elect in places both big-and-small. The Badger State has gone Democratic in the last six elections. But until this year, it had not carried a winner into the White House since Bill Clinton’s second term in 1996. The last Republican to win the state was Ronald Reagan in 1984, when he won his second term.
Wood Apologizes for Arrest
12/16/08 - State Representative Jeff Wood apologized Monday for what he called “irresponsible behavior.” The independent from Bloomer was arrested early Friday for first offense drunk driving, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The 39-year-old Wood was picked up early Friday on Interstate-94 in Columbia County, and he spent seven hours in a jail in Portage before posting a 200-dollar bond. Wood said he drank too much, and he exercised poor judgment, and he has cooperated with authorities. Details behind the arrest were not immediately released. District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said she was waiting for State Patrol reports before filing charges. Wood is due in court January 26th. He was elected as a Republican six years ago. But Wood quit the party this past summer, saying G-O-P leaders retaliated against him for not toeing-the-party-line enough. The Republicans responded by putting up Don Moga – whom Wood defeated in the November general election. Majority Democrats reward Wood for his defection by making him the chairman of the Assembly Ways-and-Means Committee in the new session. The arrest comes at a time when the Legislature is about to consider new measures to fight drunk driving.
Wind Farm Active in Fond du Lac County
12/16/08 - A wind farm in Fond du Lac County is now operating in a commercial capacity. That’s according to Wisconsin Power and Light Company President Barbara Swan, who says the Cedar Ridge Wind Farm is providing 68-megawatts of energy for its customers. The farm consists of 41 wind turbines spread out over 12.2 square miles in the townships of Eden and Empire. The 68-megawatts are enough to power about 17,000 homes. In a press release Swan said the company’s investment in Cedar Ridge helps balance the need to provide affordable energy to customers while at the same time making sure they’re utilizing new technologies to reduce the impact on the environment.
12/16/08 - The Beaver Dam Common Council overwhelmingly approved a large-scale redevelopment plan last night. The city will borrow $1.5 million next year to acquire and demolish nine of 11 downtown buildings at 100% of their current assessed value, totaling $778,200 of taxpayer money. The buildings are located in the floodway over the Beaver Dam River, which is prohibited by state law and will eventually have to be removed. The purchase is contingent on the acceptance of a counter-offer from the city that seeks to make the language consistent in all contracts.
The council also approved the project plan for the new Tax Increment Finance District #6 in the downtown redevelopment area, and the blending of the new district with the current TIF #3. Once finalized, $16.5 million in TIF funds would be allocated to implement the proposed projects outlined in the redevelopment plan, specifically developer incentives but also for acquisition and demolition. The TIF District is expected to generate $30 million is assessed value. The TIF would continue through 2036 with the payout coming in its final three years. The creation of a new TIF District is vital in making the proposed senior living and Weyco factory apartments a reality, and also in funding the downtown redevelopment plan. Pictured: Alderman Robert Ballweg (front) questions property owner Michael Firchow (back) while Beaver Dam Area Development Corporation president Trent Campbell (right) – co-author of the redevelopment plan - awaits questioning.
Collective Bargaining Agreements Approved
12/16/08 - The Beaver Dam Common Council approved collective bargaining agreements with their full-time firefights, paid-on-call firefighters and water treatment plant workers. The firefighters both have three-year contracts ending in 2010 with 3% increases in the first two years, and two 2% increases in the final year. Treatment plant workers have a 2-year contract with a 3% increase for 2009 and two 2% increases in 2010. Mayor Tom Kennedy says the contracts are the same as the three-year contracts approved with the AFSCME union last year. Contracts still have not been finalized with the police union but Kennedy says it is imminent.
DC Sheriff’s Department Investigating Possible B&E
12/16/08 - The Dodge County Sheriff’s Department is looking into a Breaking and Entering at a home in the Town of Portland. Sheriff Todd Nehls says a homeowner reported that his front door had been kicked in and money taken from his home on Highway 19. He says they will be investigating whether there was any correlation between this incident and the rash of burglary’s that happened this past fall, though initially he believes it may be a new person or group.
Referendums to be on February Ballot in Waupun
12/16/08 - Residents in the Waupun School District will see three referendum questions on their ballots in February. That’s after the school board approved their addition at last night’s board meeting. District Administrator Randy Refsland says the questions will ask taxpayers to allow the district to exceed the revenue cap for three years by a total of nearly $5-million. The first question would be the most expensive for residents as the district is asking for $4-million over the three years to keep a number of district buildings operating as they currently do. If that question does not pass it’s possible that both Fox Lake and Alto Elementary would have to close.
BD School Board Approves Easement
12/16/08 - The Beaver Dam School Board voted unanimously to give the city of Beaver Dam permission to construct a stormwater detention basin near Jefferson Elementary to help improve stormwater flow in that area. The basin will be near the corner of Stone Street and Roedl Court in an area that is sometimes used for youth soccer. The stormwater utility will pay for the construction and maintenance and, in return, the school district will receive a 33 percent credit on its stormwater bill for that property, or a savings of about $860 per year.
BDUSD Audit “Clean”
12/16/08 - The accounting firm Virchow Krause presented their findings of an audit of the Beaver Dam School District at last night’s board meeting. According to Business Services Director Andrew Sarnow the report indicated a qualified audit meaning it was clean. Sarnow says the audit did note a few internal controls that could be implemented, including having one person handle cash and another handle the deposit. However, Sarnow says in a district the size of Beaver Dam it may not be possible because of budget concerns. In total the audit figured the district had about $530,000 more revenue than expenditures, which Sarnow says was put into the fund balance account.
It’ll be a White Christmas in Wisconsin
12/16/08 - There’s no doubt that Wisconsin will have a White Christmas. The only question is how deep the snow will be. The National Weather Service says a weak low pressure system in the Ohio Valley will give most of the Badger State a fresh coating of powdery snow today. Four-to-five inches are expected in the southern part of the state, and one-to-four inches elsewhere. Forecasters say a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain could hit Wisconsin Thursday night through Friday – and several more inches are expected from that. And still another round of snow is due in Saturday and Saturday night.
Gehl Company to Lay Off Workers
12/16/08 - A company in West Bend that makes agriculture-and-construction equipment is cutting almost a-fifth of its salaried workforce. The Gehl Company said yesterday it’s letting 62 salaried employees go, as well as 19 hourly workers. The recessionary down-turn in housing and construction was blamed. Most of the affected employees are at Gehl’s corporate offices in West Bend. Officials said most received severance or early retirement packages. Gehl also laid off 19 hourly workers at its manufacturing plant in Madison South Dakota. That followed the cutting of 46 hourly jobs about a month-and-a-half ago.
Smallest Increase in Property Tax Bills Statewide in Nine Years
12/16/08 - Wisconsin home-and-business owners are now getting their local property tax bills. And Governor Jim Doyle’s office says they have their smallest average increase in nine years – just one-tenth of one-percent. The typical bill on a 184-thousand-dollar home is 28-hundred-43-dollars – up four-dollars from a year ago. The governor says the increase would have been higher if it wasn’t for a new state tax credit the Legislature approved a year ago. It exempts the first 41-hundred-35 dollars of a home’s value from the school tax. Doyle said the average homeowner had a reduction of 35-dollars from what’s being called the “first dollar credit.” But that credit – as well as other state aid to local governments – may be in jeopardy next year. That’s when politicians will cover a projected five-point-four billion dollar deficit in the next state budget.
Authorities Release Name of Crash Victim
12/16/08 - An Oconomowoc man killed in a weekend freeway crash in Waukesha County was identified yesterday as 24-year-old Kyle Guerra. Authorities said he was going west on Interstate-94 near Waukesha Saturday night, when a van crossed the median and hit him. The second driver, a 41-year-old Waunakee man, might have suffered from a medical condition that made him lose control. Deputies are still investigating. Waukesha County sheriff’s sergeant Karen Ruff said there are no signs that alcohol was a factor. Five people, including four in the van, were treated at local hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries.
Department of Commerce Wants Cap on Film Tax Breaks
12/16/08 - Film industry tax-breaks and incentives have generated over $9.2 million and created a minimum of 850 temporary jobs in the state. That’s according to a new analysis by Film Wisconsin and comes on the heels of efforts by the Department of Commerce to cap the yearly tax breaks offered by the state. Film Wisconsin Executive Director Scott Robbe says the state will pay out an estimated $6.1 million in incentives, while production companies have spent an estimated $15.3 million. $4.6 million went to “Public Enemies,” which spent a day filming in Beaver Dam, but the film only generated $5 million dollars, which the Commerce Department called “a wash.” Robbe, however, says that does not take into account future tourism revenue from those wanting to see where their favorite movies were filmed. Commerce officials are quoted as saying that with all the economic problems facing Wisconsin it is “ludicrous” to think that paying 25% of a film director’s seven-figure salary somehow has a direct economic impact on Wisconsin. Robbe says scaling back tax incentives would be a “business-killer.” The film incentives law provides qualifying production companies a 25% tax credit for wages paid to employees to produce film, video, broadcast advertising or television programming. It also includes sales tax credits for cconstruction, wardrobes, clothing and visual effects.
Wisconsin Election Now Official
12/16/08 - Wisconsin has officially endorsed a winning president for the first time in 12 years. The Electoral College gathered yesterday to conduct the official White House vote. And all 10 of Wisconsin’s electors went with Democrat Barack Obama. It was a formality, since all the electors are supposed to choose the candidate who wins the popular vote. And Governor Jim Doyle, who was among the electors, said Wisconsin made a “strong statement” in choosing Obama. He said 59 of the 72 counties endorsed the president-elect in places both big-and-small. The Badger State has gone Democratic in the last six elections. But until this year, it had not carried a winner into the White House since Bill Clinton’s second term in 1996. The last Republican to win the state was Ronald Reagan in 1984, when he won his second term.
Wood Apologizes for Arrest
12/16/08 - State Representative Jeff Wood apologized Monday for what he called “irresponsible behavior.” The independent from Bloomer was arrested early Friday for first offense drunk driving, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The 39-year-old Wood was picked up early Friday on Interstate-94 in Columbia County, and he spent seven hours in a jail in Portage before posting a 200-dollar bond. Wood said he drank too much, and he exercised poor judgment, and he has cooperated with authorities. Details behind the arrest were not immediately released. District Attorney Jane Kohlwey said she was waiting for State Patrol reports before filing charges. Wood is due in court January 26th. He was elected as a Republican six years ago. But Wood quit the party this past summer, saying G-O-P leaders retaliated against him for not toeing-the-party-line enough. The Republicans responded by putting up Don Moga – whom Wood defeated in the November general election. Majority Democrats reward Wood for his defection by making him the chairman of the Assembly Ways-and-Means Committee in the new session. The arrest comes at a time when the Legislature is about to consider new measures to fight drunk driving.
Wind Farm Active in Fond du Lac County
12/16/08 - A wind farm in Fond du Lac County is now operating in a commercial capacity. That’s according to Wisconsin Power and Light Company President Barbara Swan, who says the Cedar Ridge Wind Farm is providing 68-megawatts of energy for its customers. The farm consists of 41 wind turbines spread out over 12.2 square miles in the townships of Eden and Empire. The 68-megawatts are enough to power about 17,000 homes. In a press release Swan said the company’s investment in Cedar Ridge helps balance the need to provide affordable energy to customers while at the same time making sure they’re utilizing new technologies to reduce the impact on the environment.
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