Lake Holcombe Town Board; Revenue goes up for town by 262 percent

The shared culvert of the Town of Lake Holcombe and Town of Estella on West Fisher Drive, is at last replaced and paved, making for a much smoother ride. The towns shared the cost and are working on a Memorandum of Understanding, so when things like that arise, the municipalities know where the boundary line is and whose responsibility it is to fix it. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

There was good news to report at the regular Lake Holcombe Town Board meeting July 13, as the newly passed shared revenue numbers are out, as part of Wisconsin Act 12. Normally, the town sees $17,945 in revenues, but for next year, there will be an additional increase of $47,000 (262 percent).

“Sorely needed,” said town board supervisor Doug Olson.

The extra revenue is part of the governor’s initiative with the state surplus, but it’s also adding local government funding to the state sales tax going forward, allowing for growth in the future.

“It’s not a one and done,” said town board chairman Brian Guthman.

There was also a good report on the Sanitary District, as Sanitary Board chairman Buck Steele says phosphorus levels have come down as low as 2 and been as high as 6, depending on when it rains.

“We like hearing good news,” said town board supervisor David Staudacher.

Steele also mentioned that the Sanitary District budget is going to be a lot bigger than usual, because of the loss of revenue from accepting haulers and with increased costs for maintenance. There’s also been neither good news or bad, after the DNR sanitary plant improvements report was submitted earlier in the summer.

“Haven’t heard a word from the DNR,” said Steele.

Something in the works for the town, is a Memorandum of Understanding for the shared roads with the Town of Estella and Town of Ruby, which will be worked on for the next meeting.

“There never have been any, of who’s going to take care of what,” said Guthman.

Members did talk about selling the parcel where the old landfill site was on State Hwy. 27, after it was brought up at the annual town board meeting.

“What do you think, try it one more time?” asked Guthman.

Staudacher and Olson agreed to give it another shot, since the land has been for sale before, and there’s been little or no interest. Whoever purchases the lot will be responsible for DNR regulations, pertaining to the property.

The town board was also saddened to hear they are losing their snowplow person and their part-time person, so they are looking at getting a full-time employee to join Ben Jordan, the town roadman. Even without an increase in shared revenue, the budget can handle another full-time employee.

“There’s usually enough left over,” said town board clerk Tracey Larson.

Guthman also reported that the 259th Avenue landfill is operating without a permit, and that the DNR is requiring the owners to clean it up and provide proof of where they are disposing of loads, by July 25. After that, DNR enforcement will take place.

Guthman also said they are having trouble with people camping overnight at the Wayside Park and that he has seen dogs on the beach area.

“So, I think it’d be a good idea to upgrade the signs there, just to make sure people know,” he said.

In case anyone is wondering, Larson said, as far as they know, the Dollar General will open this fall.