Board borrows $1.8 million for capital projects
Ambulance, turnout gear remain in budget
Germantown — Although a replacement ambulance and other purchases are points of contention for two trustees, the Village Board on Monday borrowed $1.8 million for this year's capital projects, which includes $1 million for roads.
Trustees David Baum and Art Zabel, who both voted against the loan, last week tried to have the ambulance, estimated at $225,000, removed from the budget.
"The village doesn't truly need it," Baum said, adding that the village's fourth ambulance goes out on calls about 12 times a year, or once a month.
He said the village could rely on mutual aid in those situations.
However, concerns on mileage and the aging vehicles in the village's fleet prevailed, and the ambulance remains in the budget.
Baum also attempted to get firefighter turnout gear, with a $117,000 price tag, funded within the operating budget, with a third of the gear needing replacement each year. But other trustees noted contract obligations, safety and implementation of a future replacement plan.
Zabel had concerns with a Global Positioning System the board approved Monday. About $12,000 of the $36,000 price tag is part of the capital budget. Zabel was hopeful the $12,000 could be found within the operating budget as multiple departments will use the equipment.
Trustees last week agreed to fund five mobile computers for the Fire Department, partially within the budget, $11,000, and partially ($10,000) through an interest rebate expected through a federal stimulus loan program to be used for the capital projects. The village borrowed the remaining $9,000.
The interest rebate, estimated at $14,000, also will fund the village's membership fee of $2,750 for the Wisconsin Utility Tax Association. That leaves about $1,250 of the rebate undesignated.
Those additional dollars could come in handy as the village's credit rating, Aa3, has a "negative outlook" attached to it.
Village Administrator David Schornack said the village has to maintain its fund balance, or available cash account, to maintain its credit rating. The village had budgeted about $150,000 for the fund balance to bring it to about 10 percent of operating expenses. If the village is successful in building back up its fund balance, Moody's Investors Service could drop the negative outlook notation.
Village President Thomas Kempinski said it is important for the village to maintain its rating because they likely will borrow in the future.
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