Rainy day funds to pay for village projects

The Village of Saukville has decided to spend $33,800 of its rainy day fund after being cleared by a financial adviser to use some of the money.

The money will go toward completing phase one of a fuel-tank repair project for $25,000, purchasing police firearm red dot sights and holsters for $6,800, and riot gear for a Saukville police officer who also serves on the Ozaukee County Mobile Field Force Unit for $2,000.

Following a recommendation from the Finance Committee, the Village Board unanimously approved spending the money Aug. 3.

The purchases will be made using the village’s unassigned fund balance, or funds for unbudgeted expenses, which currently totals $1.78 million, about 55% of the annual village budget.

At a June meeting, Greg Johnson, an Ehlers financial municipal adviser, told trustees the village could spend up to $150,000 of its fund balance without negatively impacting Saukville’s strong credit rating.

The fund balance spending will allow the village to pay for several unbudgeted expenses this year, one of the most necessary being initial repairs on the fuel tank system.

An annual inspection of the facility found the fuel island, where the pumps rest, was damaged. To continue use of the station, which fuels all municipal vehicles, the village will have to make repairs by the end of the year.

To bring the station into compliance with state standards, $19,744 will have to be spent to remove the existing fuel island, install a containment tank under the fuel dispenser, install a fuel sensor to detect leaks and purchase double-walled fiberglass tanks running from the tanks to dispenser pipes.

Once phase one of the project is completed and the station is brought into compliance, the village will begin considering phase two of the project, which would replace the station’s two 2,000-gallon gas tanks for an estimated cost of $124,000.

The unassigned funds will also allow the village to purchase 11 red-dot firearm sights, seven holsters, sight accessories and a variety of protective equipment for a Saukville police officer who serves on the Mobile Field Force Unit.

The unit is a group of officers throughout the county organized to support anti-riot operations.

Police Chief Rob Meyer said the county does not supply riot gear that other county officers have, leaving the officer without protective equipment.

Included in the riot gear purchase will be a face shield, medical kit, baton, riot shield, elbow and knee guards and restraints.

“He needs to be outfitted with this equipment to be a part of this team,” Meyer said.