Columbus Wisconsin Budget How does JD Milburn Feel about it?

Dickason Boulevard Columbus Wisconsin

Please describe your budgeting experience and thoughts on the city’s budget situation? The City leverages $359,631,300 in equalized tax value to provide services each of us could not afford to pay for alone, equally shared benefits. That is the role of a government budget. We do that in Columbus asking for a 2.3% borrowing rate upon various property values. The Values increased about 3% in 2015. We have not recovered almost $33 Million in previous housing value from 2010. Those taxes pay for city, school, county, technical college and state needs. Each of them is used to impact the place. Many citizens talk about the value from this borrowing. Those categorized into a general, community development authority, the aquatic center, cemetery, paying for debt, and funding long-term capital projects like a truck, road, police station, park shelter etc. Our budget is a living document and us as citizens must decide how it lives. We can decide that if we understand the need, and the output/service. More narrative in the fine numerical document would serve the community well, as would face of the excellent employees and face of those providing the output and service. Whether that be Davis Clark great work on directing roads, snow plowing, Carolyn Fredericks coordinating workers, at public works and all those people. Or it could be Dan Meister, Matt Schultz, Roger, Terry, Kelly, Randy Koehn and more from the police and fire department. Amy is the face of who we play and recreate. At city hall and across the street Patrick, Anne, Pat Goebel, Cindy from the Library and now Kim Lang at the senior center. These are where citizens intersect with the city, and besides looking at numbers it would be nice for much more to know these dedicated public servants. They all make for a better place and quality of life. I have read many government budgets and provided input but input is just that unless we interact with those improving the place these are just numbers. I will leave you with one parting thought is the average salary is $35,000 that costs us around $1.5 Million in the tax base to pay or around 15 homes if I use the $100K per home value Zillow reports. Increases in 2016 were across the board, the aquatic park, and parks and recreation as we work to improve quality of life. I think we are getting great value, but let’s work to improve the place.

Columbus Wisconsin Entrance Sign

JD Milburn

City of Columbus Wisconsin

Candidate for Alder District 3

Issues for the Future of Columbus Wisconsin Hwy 16 (James Street ) Road Construction disruptions Assist in getting the word out, make sure disruption is lessened. Listen to the citizens. Continue 5 year street plan ordinance Continue to support Community structures, Resthaven, Fireman's Park, Aquatic Center, Police & Fire Dept., Kiwanis, Meister, Davies, and Washington Parks. Advocate that young adults and schools participate in community! Listen to citizens first!

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DOB: 04/10/1962