On Monday, November 27, the Pleasant Prairie Village Board considered and approved the 2024 General Government Budgets. The budgets included general government operating, capital, debt service, incremental tax districts, special revenue, and reserve funds. The approved tax levy is budgeted to increase from $17,912,503 in 2023 to $21,048,868 in 2024.
The $3,136,365 levy increase is related to the growth of the Village and debt payments for the new fire station at 10165 Terwall Terrace and the new police station at 10111 39th Avenue. These new facilities will allow for future expansion and support the additional public safety staff that voters approved through the public safety referendum in April 2022, enabling Pleasant Prairie to hire the necessary staff to maintain quality public safety services.
The Village estimates a tax rate of $4.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A home with a median value of $322,500 is expected to result in an estimated $1,382 for the Village portion of the property tax bill, approximately $186 more than the previous year’s Village property tax payment. While the Village portion of the tax bill is set to rise, the other taxing entities have reduced their levies and mill rates. As a result, the median homeowner is projected to see a decrease in their 2023 property tax payment from the previous year.
Village general operating expenses for 2024 will be approximately $23.2 million. The budget includes $130,703 for recurring items like the nearly $90,000 in new building expenses supporting the new Fire Station #3 and police building. There were also $387,324 in one-time costs to fund items such as replacing the roof at Fire Station #2, hiring a new Community Development Director to work with the retiring director through mid-2024, and developing a master plan for Prairie Springs Park. The Village Board approval also covered the Capital Budget of $4.5 million, including $2.8 million in funds to support road improvements and $477,135 for new or replacement vehicles for the Fire & Rescue and Police departments. It also consists of funds to support Prairie Springs Park with $300,000 to replace playground equipment on the park's south side.