Monona voters approve $3 million referendum
Monona voters on Tuesday narrowly approved a $3 million operating budget referendum, which officials said was needed to maintain current services and boost pay to better retain and recruit staff.
The vote was 2,856 to 2,824, or 50.3% to 49.7%, according to the Dane County Clerk.
The measure will allow the city to raise nearly $13 million in property taxes next year, instead of nearly $10 million under state limits. On an average home worth $435,000, residents will pay about $713 more a year.
Some $1.1 million of the $3 million will go to staff salary increases and $134,000 will cover overtime pay next year. Another $850,000 will pay for the increased cost of services next year, with $871,000 going to additional operating cost expenses in 2026 to 2029.
"We're appreciative of the support," said Neil Stechschulte, city administrator. "Now we have to follow up on our end of the bargain and make sure we're continuing to provide a sound level of service."
If the referendum hadn't passed, city leaders planned to implement a $40 wheel tax per vehicle and to start a special charge for refuse and recycling pickup. The city also was looking at keeping some public safety jobs open, reducing brush and yard waste pickup and cutting back hours at the library, pool and senior center, among other steps.
Monona, like other municipalities, is restricted by revenue limits passed by the state Legislature. Property tax increases can't exceed the percentage increase in value from net new construction.
In Monona, a landlocked community of 8,800 people immediately southeast of Madison, that means no money could have been added to the city's budget next year for operating expense increases without voters approving additional funds through a referendum.
Inflation has increased costs, demand for emergency services has gone up, and staff salaries need to rise due to recent turnover and wages being lower than peer communities, a report in June said.
In a survey in June, 59% of respondents said they would definitely or probably support a $3 million referendum. Asked about a potential $4 million referendum, which would allow for hiring additional staff, 43% were in favor. On a third option, seeking $4.3 million for even more staff, 32% were in support.
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