Paramedic referendum to affect village tax levy

The Nov. 5 paramedic referendum will determine the Village of Belgium’s 2025 tax levy, but its tax rate won’t be affected.

The referendum asks for $149,600 to help fund 24/7 paramedic-level coverage through a joint effort with the villages and towns of Belgium and Fredonia.

If it passes, the levy will be $1.695 million, a 10.84% increase. If it fails, the levy will be $1.545 million, a 1.057% increase.

The Committee of the Whole last Thursday recommended the budget be approved by the Village Board.

Village Treasurer Vickie Boehnlein said the referendum money for 2024 will be placed in the capital projects fund and designated for use in 2026 when the village gets billed for its portion of the paramedic program to cover spending above what a grant from Ozaukee County provided through American Rescue Plan Act money.

The tax rate will be $5.37 per $1,000 of assessed value. The rate is nearly a 36% decrease from last year, but it’s not a valid comparison since the village had a reassessment of properties, Boehnlein said.

A public hearing on the budget will be held at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11. The Village Board could approve the budget that night.