Don't forget to attend the Town of Mukwonago Budget Hearing tonight at 7 p.m. 

The board will take comments from the public and plans on adopting the 2008 Tax Levy to be paid in 2009.  Hot topics this year are the town's decision to charge a $154 fee for garbage pick up and concern that cuts could affect the Town Police Department.

The meeting will be held at the Town Hall, W320 S8315 Beulah Road, Mukwonago.

The Town of Mukwonago Professional Police Association is urging town residents to attend the Town of Mukwonago Budget Hearing on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.

A letter submitted by the association states that:  "Due to budget constraints and unexpected snow emergencies, the Town of Mukwonago has been faced with a budget shortfall.  A proposal has been introduced to begin a fee for garbage collection.  If this fee is not approved, we are afraid the Town Board may choose to eliminate some police services.  We feel this would adversely affect the residents who have entrusted us to maintain safety and security within the Town of Mukwonago.

We are a small Police Department and by national standards and the recommendations of the FBI, we should be bigger.  We understand this would directly increase your property tax bill, so we have always learned to 'do more with less.'  Our squad cars go without replacing when needed, we limit overtime whenever possible and we attempt to obtain whatever free training is available in order to eliminate unnecessary expenditures.  However, we fear that any further cuts to our department would limit our ability to maintain the professional level of service you deserve."

The association adds that each Town officer chose to work in the Mukwonago for a specific reason -serving the community.

A public hearing will be held at 6:30 tonight to consider the adoption of the Town of Mukwonago Comprehensive Plan, which is required by the State of Wisconsin's Smart Growth to be completed by 2010.  The Town Board will accept citizen comments regarding the plan.

An open house from 4 to 6 p.m. will precede the hearing, and residents will be able to view maps and speak with the planning commission members to gather information about the plan.

The Town Board anticipates acting on the plan at their Nov. 19 Board Meeting.

Town of Mukwonago-  Take a close look at the upcoming budget for the Town of Mukwonago and you might be surprised to find that residents may be asked to pay twice for garbage pickup services. 

Funding the snowy winter and looking into solutions for the Country Bliss flooding problems dipped into the Town's reserve fund.  In order to build the reserve fund back up, board members have proposed to keep the approximately $450,000 for garbage pickup on the budget and put that money back into the reserve fund.  Since that money will not go toward garbage collection, residents will be charged a $154 fee.

The board already decided to raise taxes by the allotted 2%.  Add that to reassessments, a $154 service charge and the worsening economy, and many residents may be feeling the pressure.

The board will make its final decision at the Nov. 20 budget hearing at 7 p.m.

 Ruth Ann Nicoson, who has served on the Mukwonago Town Board for the past six years, received 395 votes today, which wasn't enough for her to keep her spot on the Town Board.  Stefanowski received 567 votes and Robert Lawn came in a close second with 546 votes.

Town of Mukwonago Deputy Clerk Rhoda Bagley said 1,108 residents came out and voted today, which was a typical turnout for the Town.