Wausa Village budget decreases, but tax rate stays the same

Trisha Benton

Wausa Gazette

WAUSA — It’s not unheard of but certainly unusual when a governmental body’s budget decreases from the previous year.

But that’s the surprising outcome from this year’s budget process from the Village of Wausa.

The village board held its annual budget hearing Monday night and passed a nearly $2 million budget which represented a decrease of 14 percent over the previous year.

The decrease is due to the budgeted swimming pool upgrade that’s now been completed, said Village Clerk Karen Kleinschmit.

The tax rate remains the same at nearly 50 cents per $100 assessed valuation.

“The tax rate stays the same every year pretty much. They don’t give us a lot of leeway and it makes it tough,” she said about state-imposed levy limits.

The village has received its first payment of American Rescue Plan Act Funds - federal COVID stimulus dollars - of almost $50,000 and plans to receive another $50,000 at the same time next year. The village plans to use those monies for water well improvements.