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Public Budget Hearing Tuesday, November 12, 2024 6:00pm Townsend Town Hall The public budget hearing for the Town of Townsend was called to order by Chairperson Monica Zeller at 6:00pm. 60 electors were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was observed. Ziegler confirmed the posting of the meeting notice at the Town of Townsend, Townsend Post office, Laona State Bank, Townsend Location and www.townsendwisconsin.org on 10/29/2024. Zeller started out with the highlights of the 2025 budget. Equalized value went up. Accommodations tax was a good boost, but under estimate due to the non-compliance. No LRIP this year. Expenses, Insurance up $6000.00 and public safety went up due to the Firetruck lease. This is not able to be counted as debt service to increase the allowable levy. The Ambulance service budget came in at $200,000 and the NOCCO cost went up. 2024 roadwork for $78,240 was deferred into 2025 since the cost was so low in 2024. The Joint Library fund for $47,000.00 was not dealt with correctly several years ago, and we need to make it right. In the past the citizens paid this fee through county taxes. When the towns formed the joint library, we did not increase the levy and just absorbed the cost from the allowable levy. By exceeding the levy, Townsend will then be in accurate for this library tax. Recycle center budget is reduced $24,000 because of the stickers and the efficiency policy’s put in place. Why is the ambulance up $50,000.00? Zeller explained that in the past, the ambulance request was always reduced and then at the end of the year, they would ask the towns for additional funds, that were not budgeted. Lakewood and Townsend boards worked with the Ambulance board and came up with an agreement contract to honor the budget presented. The ambulance budget should be obtained from the Community Ambulance service. Why is the fireworks fund cut to $10,000.00. The town will solicit donations/sponsors to add to the fund. The cost is $1000.00/minute. Chuck DeMoulin made the motion to close the budget hearing at 6:43, 2nd by Willie Evans – M/A