City of Mequon Weekly Bulletin - January 18, 2019

Upcoming Meetings
Economic Development Board: January 22 – 7:30 A.M. (Agenda)
Public Welfare Committee: January 29 – 6:00 P.M.
Park and Open Space Board: January 30 – 6:30 P.M.

Completion of the Concordia Swale south of Highland Drive
Concordia University constructed a swale on the south side of the property on the corner of Highland Road and Lake Shore Drive in 2017. After the physical construction was completed, the Concordia team prepared record drawings. Record drawings are a tool that is used to verify that the construction matches what was planned. In this case, the record drawings showed that the plans didn’t match the work that was completed. The contractor regraded the areas that did not match the plans and provided revised record drawings. The revised record drawings were accepted by the Engineering Division this week, completing the project.

Finance-Personnel Committee Discusses Tax Rate Calculation Variance
The Mequon Finance-Personnel Committee took up the matter of City mil rates on tax bills not matching the estimated rates Finance staff provides during the budget development process with the Appropriations Committee. The difference is due to how the Finance Department has been referring to the City’s entire assessed tax base during the budget development process by including the value within the City’s four active Tax Incremental Finance Districts. This process thereby resulted in the calculation of a lower mil rate than what is on the final tax bills. The mil rate is the “tax rate” that is applied to the assessed value of a property. The inclusion of the four Tax Incremental Finance Districts has had little impact on the mil rate up until the last four years and resulted in the mil rate now being approximately five cents per thousand higher than what was stated in the budget development process. The Committee discussed possible options on how to address the issue and requested staff brings the matter back before the Council this Spring, after the 2018 financial year results have been finalized.

Winter Frolic Taking Place on February 2
The Mequon Nature Preserve’s annual Winter Frolic will take place from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 2 at 8200 W. County Line Road. Join fellow community members for Alaskan Malamute dog sled demonstrations, tractor rides, a winter marketplace, campfires, crafts, and much more! This event is great for all ages. Please visit the Mequon Nature Preserve’s website for more details.

Grant Available to Homeowners with Damage from the Milwaukee River Flooding Event
Residents in Ozaukee County whose homes were damaged by the August 27, 2018 to September 1, 2018 destructive storms and flooding may now apply for recovery funds through the Southern Housing Region Emergency Assistance Program. The county was recently awarded approximately $800,000 in Community Development Block Grant-Emergency Assistance Program funding to provide aid to low-to-moderate-income households affected by the flooding. Please click here to view further details on the Ozaukee County Emergency Management website.

County Issues Board Meeting Minutes
Please click here to view the January 16 meeting minutes of the Ozaukee County Board.

New Postage Rate to Take Effect in January
Postal rates will be changing on Sunday, January 27, 2019.  Metered mail and non-metered mail fees are increasing, while the fee for additional letter ounces is being reduced. Below is a table reflecting the new rates: