Mill rate now $9.84 per $1,000 for village portion of tax roll

Acting in regular session Monday, Dec. 5, the Boyd Village Board did many things.

Among them was the certification of the village portion of the 2023 tax levy, along with putting delinquent utilities and special assessments on the tax roll. Included as well was an estimate of $64,890 for street work by the County Highway Department along Center Road, from Cenex to the highway. Motion to approve the street work estimate on the part of the village was made by president Bob Geist, seconded by trustee Sarah McQuillan.

The portion of road in question is shared by the village and county, the county paying $41,509 of the estimate with the village responsible for $23,381, pending county board approval for the project.

As to the approved 2023 village tax levy, the details call for a mill rate set at $9.84 per $1,000 in property value, the motion to approve being made by trustee Gwen Krizan and seconded by Casey Dorn. The move constitutes a levy raise of $3.84 over from 2022, with extra funds planned to address critical infrastructure projects and other village needs.

Also reported on at the Dec. 5 meeting was news that Jeff Zais wanted to get groups together for putting light decorations up.

The light poles, made of white metal, can’t have a heavy light put on them, but estimates were that the cost would be $386 per light pole if undertaken. Banners were considered in previous years on Murray Street and avoided due to concerns over semis and the banner height.

As for department reports, Streets and Utilities head Tom Grunewald reported that there had been a water main break in town.

“Well as you know we had a main break,” Grunewald informed the board, adding, “It was a Monday.”

The break taking place on South Boyd Street between Patten and Park had been fixed with work done in part by village employees, thereby saving money.

As to village infrastructure, Grunewald reported that the soft start shot was broken on one sewer pump.

With repairs of the 16-year-old pump estimated at $4,000 and estimated to rise by 20 to 30 percent at the new year, replacement was recommended at a cost of $8,000 instead, effectively saving money in the long run. From there it was into other department reports.

As to finance and claims, Krizan noted the budget had been approved, there being little else to report. As to police, rules, and ordinance, meanwhile, trustee Dorn reported that the snow shovel was done.

For parks, health, and sanitation, the report was made that the bleachers had been delivered and were out at the park. Not as high as previous, they were nonetheless 15 feet long.

The park itself is closed until spring. Wrapping up reports, news of an ambulance committee meeting on Dec. 14 was made known, with Horton bringing a new ambulance up for demonstration. Business Development would soon be in need of having one seat filled due to the resignation of Nicole Hager, with nomination papers available for village board if interested and due back Jan. 3, with more information through the Boyd Village Hall.