Howard residents are invited to learn more about the April 4 Public Safety referendum during two upcoming public informational meetings. The meetings will be held:
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7 in the Board Room (back entrance) at Howard Village Hall, 2456 Glendale Avenue
• 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 13 in the Board Room (back entrance) at Howard Village Hall, 2456 Glendale Avenue
Howard Village Administrator Paul Evert said the public informational meetings are intended to give residents an opportunity to learn more about the purpose of the referendum and provide ample time for questions to be asked and answered.
“We hope these meetings will be a venue for the sharing of information and thoughtful discussion,” Evert said. “We certainly want people to be well informed before they cast their vote.”
The referendum question is asking to exceed the levy limit regarding the funding of public safety.
The referendum seeks to increase the existing levy by $765,000 to fill state and federal funding gaps, allow for increased staffing, and provide high-quality public safety services to all Howard residents.
An approved referendum would allow the village to provide:
• Additional police protection with the 24/7 staffing of a second patrol car – This includes adding an 8-hour shift, 365 days a year, to the existing Brown County Sheriff’s contract with the purpose of reducing law enforcement response times.
• Village-operated, fire-based emergency medical services – The village currently contracts a private company to provide 24/7 paramedic service to Howard residents. This contract ends in 2023.
• Enhanced 24/7 Fire Rescue Department – By hiring seven firefighter/paramedics, crews staffed in the station can more quickly respond to emergency scenes at night to provide immediate rescue and lifesaving care.
The estimated tax impact is roughly a 33-cent increase to the village mill rate. This equates to an increase of approximately $33.24 per $100,000 of property value.
A “yes” vote on the question is a vote to authorize the Howard Village Board to increase the tax levy to add these rescue and police services. A “no” vote on the question is a vote to deny the authority to increase the levy to add these rescue and police services.
Howard residents visit villageofhoward.com to learn more about the critical need for improved police, fire, and rescue services and the referendum.
