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Whitewater city budget

Highlights: City Manager Kevin Brunner, who described the budget as "austere," said a number of fee increases have been proposed to generate more revenue including:

-- Parking fines: The budget proposes parking citations be increased from $10 to $20 and handicapped parking citations be increased from $50 to $80. Brunner said without the increases, the city would have to eliminate its community service officer program, which provides paraprofessional assistance to the police department.

-- Ambulance service charges: The budget calls for a $130 charge (effective Oct. 1) on emergency medical services billing to offset the $306,000 the city spent to upgrade its emergency communications system. The city also is contracting with a new EMS billing and collection company.

Brunner said the budget also includes two new positions:

-- A second part-time neighborhood services officer, who will help with municipal code enforcement and housing issues.

-- A part-time salaried city attorney, who would be employed by the city rather than by contract.

What's next? The city council approved the budget Tuesday after a public hearing. Brunner said the tax rate could change when the city receives its assessed valuation from the state.

Total budget

Next year: $9.2 million

This year: $9.4 million

Decrease: 1.4%

Tax levy

Next year: $2.31 million

This year: $2.30 million

Increase: 2.5%

Tax rate

(Per $1,000

of assessed valuation)

Next year: $4.95*/$5.02**

This year: $4.85*/4.79**

Increase: 2.1%*/4.8%**

* For the portion of the city in Walworth County.

** For the portion of the city in Jefferson County.

Note: Percent changes calculated on whole numbers.