During a Special Village Board meeting and public hearing on November 30, Village staff informed residents that community partner, Haribo of America (HARIBO), has made a generous contribution to RecPlex that will significantly reduce the proposed 2021 Village tax levy.
HARIBO has committed to a 30-year corporate citizen sponsorship with RecPlex. Instead of paying $50,000 per year in support, the company has agreed to make one lump sum payment to RecPlex. Out of the $1.5 million contribution, $1.3 million will help RecPlex with the facility's $2.5 million annual debt service payment. The remaining $200,000 will go into a scholarship fund for individuals and families that might not otherwise afford membership or programming. The sponsorship funds bring the proposed $1.5 million tax levy increase to partially cover the debt principle down to $500,000, representing the equivalent amount the RecPlex contributes to the General Fund on an annual basis. In recognition of the taxpayer support, RecPlex will offer Pleasant Prairie taxpaying households five guest passes to use the facility ($55 value), free Lake Andrea beach access ($45 value), and a free parking pass with a RecPlex membership ($30 value). These offerings are in addition to contributions and value RecPlex already continues to provide the community.
Following the HARIBO donation announcement and citizen comments, the Village Board discussed and approved the 2021 General Fund Budget. The budget includes general government operating, capital, debt service, incremental tax districts, capital improvements, and special revenue. The tax levy is budgeted to increase from $12,652,261 in 2020 to $13,796,940 for 2021. The 2021 Village property tax rate will be $4.64 per thousand of assessed value. For the median-valued home of $237,200, the total Village portion of the property tax payment would increase from $1,051 in 2020 to $1,101 in 2021.
Village general operating expenses for 2021 will be approximately $18.6 million. The funds will cover Village services such as fire and rescue, police, community development, road improvements, and snow plowing. The budget includes inflationary increases across most departments, but no new positions or additional programs are budgeted for 2021. Proposed capital purchases include road improvements of $2.1 million, replacing two fire engines with a quint engine, Pleasant Prairie Park Improvements, designing a new law enforcement facility, replacing police vehicles, and land acquisitions for the Highway 50 reconstruction project.
"As a municipal government, the Village prioritizes annual projects to make sure that we are fiscally responsible while maintaining a stable and economically sound community," explained Village Administrator Nathan Thiel. "The Village works to provide high-quality municipal services, and are extremely grateful for the residents and strong corporate partners that are supporting our efforts."