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Editor’s note: This report was provided by Lincoln School Garden Leader Liesl Schultz Hying.

Season #8 of the Lincoln Elementary Growing and Learning Garden was once again a success.

Students planted their garden of spring crops in mid-April and were tasting that food before the school year ended. Radishes, lettuces, spinach, kale, and swiss chard all became snacks for students. Learning how plants grow, how long it takes food to grow and showing care and respect to these plants and the space all happen everyday.

All throughout the summer, the garden space was a place to explore, taste new foods, learn about nature and observe the daily changes in the garden. Our Monday Garden Gatherings brought students, families and community members to tend to the space, harvest healthy foods and enjoy friendships. Lincoln families helped to tend to the garden during the summer months.  

When students returned to school in September, they were in awe of the changes in the garden. Sunflowers standing more than 9’ tall, the kale and chard they planted now thick and many tomatoes and green beans to taste. Students enjoy this space during recess, tasting the foods, comparing themselves to sunflowers, discovering insects, creating with the “loose parts” of the tree stumps and as a place to relax and be with friends.

School gardens encourage healthy eating, connect students to where their food comes from, enrich school curriculum, provide hands-on learning, build life-long healthy habits, strengthen community and foster inquiry of the natural world around us.

To get involved with this garden, please contact School Garden Leader Liesl Schultz Hying at Lincsgarden@gmail.com.  Helping hands are needed from April-October. 

Editor’s note: Updated on 10/11/22 @ 12:20 p.m. to add comments to the Lakes Project Update meeting on Saturday, 10/15.
Updated on 10/11/22 @ 3:00 p.m. to add items to the Finance Committee meeting on Thursday.

City of Whitewater Plan and Architectural Review Commission – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Plan Review For Proposed Development Of The Bowers House Apartments Located At 187
W Main Street and Public Hearing Regarding A Conditional Use Permit For A Proposed Pylon Sign For The
Dollar General Store Located At 1105 Bluff Road
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/232830853
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (408) 650-3123
Access Code: 232-830-853

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Tuesday @ 4:30 p.m.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Agenda: 2022-2023 Budget Review (2 Of 3)
Community Room (1st Floor)
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be a blended meeting (both in person and virtual options). To join from your
computer, tablet or smartphone, please use the below link:
https://meet.goto.com/412805085
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 412-805-085

City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Traffic Speed Study On STH
59/Newcomb Street North Of Starin Road; Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Proposed Rate Increase From Johns
Disposal For Garbage, Recycling And Bulk Pickup; and Discussion And Possible Action Regarding Proposals For The Structural Analysis Of Starin Park Water Tower.
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Cravath Lakefront Room- 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.

City of Whitewater Police and Fire Commission – Wednesday @ 6:30 p.m. (Reconvene in open session approx. 7:15 p.m.)
Agenda includes Interview Of Patrol Captain Candidate
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Community Room- First Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/695307973
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 695-307-973

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Thursday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: 2022-2023 Budget Review (3 Of 3)
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
City Managers Conference Room – 2nd Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.
This will be a blended meeting (both in person and virtual options). To join from your
computer, tablet or smartphone, please use the below link:
https://meet.goto.com/800074005
You can also dial in using your phone.
1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 800-074-005

AMENDED AGENDA AS OF 10/10/22 – 4:30 P.M. TO ADD ITEM 2A, SHARED RIDE TAXI – 2023 CONTRACT

AMENDED AGENDA AS OF 10/11/22 – 11:30 A.M. TO CHANGE START TIME FROM 4:30 P.M. TO 5:30 P.M.

City of Whitewater Lakes Project Community Meeting – Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.
Agenda includes Project Overview, Current State of the Lakes, Fish Stocking Plan,
Management of Cattails and Vegetation
City of Whitewater Municipal Building
Common Council Room – 1st Floor
312 W. Whitewater St.

Update 10/11: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: The Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a Lakes
Project Community Meeting on Saturday, October 15, 2022. It is likely that a quorum of
council members will be in attendance. This notice is being provided to notify the public that
a quorum of council members may be in attendance, but that no formal council action is
planned. Council will be attending for information gathering purposes only.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from Whitewater YES for Education.

YES Votes Vital for Children and the Community

Parents, grandparents, business people, educators and other community members are banding together through Whitewater YES to help encourage people to vote in favor of the Whitewater Unified School District Operational Referendum on November 8. Whitewater YES volunteers are helping to make contact with voters, distribute yard signs, and help in other ways to share the importance of this vote for Whitewater children and the broader community.

“I am hoping people will vote YES for the Whitewater Unified School District referendum on November 8^th. We need to support our schools and the great programs offered to our children. A strong school system will help keep our community strong. Our district has great achievements in keeping elementary class sizes smaller, offering a nationally-recognized music program as well as great sports and extra-curricular events, and more. In order to keep our schools great we need to support this referendum, a continuation of the previous operational referendum,” said Ron Binning, treasurer of Whitewater YES and owner of Binning & Dickens Insurance in Whitewater.

Sharon McCullough, retired teacher and community member, said, “It’s essential that the Whitewater community supports its schools. Our public schools serve to help level the playing field for all students by providing equal opportunities for learning. Whether Whitewater residents have children currently going to the school district or not, they benefit from a strong infrastructure much like they benefit from strong schools. By voting ‘YES’ you will help ensure that our schools and our community stay strong by leaving our current programs, class sizes, and staffing intact. Our children are our future so please vote ‘YES’ on November 8.”

“One cannot overstate the interconnection between a strong school district and the health of a local business community. Strong, vibrant Whitewater Schools attract families who choose to reside in our community. This leads to a healthy local economy which welcomes new businesses and retains existing businesses. Vote ‘YES’ on November 8 to strengthen our schools and our local economy,” said Bob McCullough, local business owner.

If residents have more detailed questions, they may visit the Whitewater Unified School District’s website at https://www.wwusd.org/page/referendum

People who want to help Whitewater YES spread the ‘vote yes’ message, request yard signs, or help make a financial contribution to Whitewater YES, may contact Marjorie Stoneman at margiestoneman@sbcglobal.net or 414 861 4126. Yard signs may also be picked up at Binning & Dickens on 319 West Center St. in Whitewater during business hours. Donations can also be sent to Whitewater YES via Ron Binning, W8645 Glacial Drive, Whitewater, WI 53190.   Supporters are invited to ‘LIKE’ Whitewater YES for Education on Facebook.

The following is the language voters in the Whitewater Unified School District will see on the ballot November 8, 2022:

Shall the Whitewater Unified School District, Walworth, Jefferson and Rock Counties, Wisconsin, be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin statutes, by $4,400,000 per year beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and ending with the 2026-2027 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of the following: maintaining targeted class sizes, maintaining student support and mental health services, maintaining comprehensive instructional and co-curricular programs, and maintaining technology, safety, and facilities infrastructure?

Versiti is the primary blood supplier for Southeastern Wisconsin, as well as Lakeland and Fort Hospitals. Donations have been down and there is definitely a need for more volunteers. Please consider making an appointment by clicking here today. Save time by answering the questionnaire at home; this cannot be done before Friday.

Reservation

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Referendum Q&A Sessions set for Saturday, October 8 and Tuesday, October 11

The first official estimates of the financial impact to taxpayers of the results of a November 8 Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) referendum were presented to Whitewater Common Council members this week.

The council is reviewing two different 2023 budget options based on the referendum’s outcome. The final option chosen is scheduled for adoption on November 15. Two public Question and Answer sessions (see additional story), along with City Finance Committee and Common Council meetings are scheduled before the November 15 Public Hearing.

One of the 2023 budget alternatives assumes that the citywide EMS referendum fails and the other assumes that it will be approved. Both options are now projected to have a more favorable financial impact than originally thought for most homeowners, including the example of a typical home assessed in the $200,000 range. Because some Whitewater residents live in Walworth County and others in Jefferson County the projected impact varies slightly between counties according to City Finance Director Steve Hatton.

To make the referendum impact more understandable Hatton used an example of a roughly average value Whitewater home in Walworth County. The property tax for that home last year was determined by a cost-per-thousand calculation, or mill rate, multiplied times an assessed value of $200,000 (200 × mill rate).

The mill rate changes each year based on the total of the city, county, school district, and technical college budgets and any changes in the total assessed value of all city property. The total assessed valuation of all city property for next year went up significantly because so many property assessments went up and millions of dollars of property in the Business Park and Prairie Village were added back to the tax rolls after a Tax Incremental Tax District (TID) closure. While a TID is open the property tax generated in the district is used for infrastructure improvements and development incentives and TID property tax revenue only counts toward the total city assessed value total when closed.

Hatton’s example property’s assessed value went up by the citywide average of 7.8% resulting in assessed value of nearly $216,000 for next year. Because the mill rate for next year is going down, even with the proposed cost of improved EMS service, the owner of the example Walworth County Whitewater home will see their bill tax reduced next year by $91 under the scenario of the referendum passing. Estimates for a Whitewater home in Jefferson will not be identical, but there would still be a reduction.

Your overall property tax contribution includes distribution of tax revenue to not only the city but also to the county, the school district and a local technical college. Last year’s tax bill included 29% of its revenue for city purposes, 16% for the county, 4% for the technical college and 51% for the school district. The school district is also asking for approval of a referendum to continue an operational cost levy limit exception that was approved four years ago. Proponents of that referendum have pointed out that an increase in state per-student funding along with the significant increase in total property valuation will result in a total property tax decrease even if their referendum passes.

The November 8 city EMS referendum states that under state law the amount of property tax levied on City of Whitewater property owners can only go up by a maximum of 7.673% over last year and the annual $1.1 million increased cost for the city taking on a municipal fire and EMS department to replace the 151-year-old volunteer paid on-call fire department operation exceeds that allowed percentage. It asks for a vote confirming support of a $1.1 million tax increase levy over the future year percentage increases dictated by the state.

The $1.1 million annual estimated cost of full-time on-site professional EMS workers and estimated future equipment replacement costs is in reaction to a 17% increase in EMS calls and a nearly similar decrease in the number of available paid on-call volunteers during the last four years. That has resulted in increased response call times according to a City of Whitewater information piece. That piece points out that before a recently introduced on-premises EMT staffing improvement 41% of EMS calls took more than five minutes just for on-call EMTs to get to the fire station and leave. In many cases the shortage of volunteers resulted in neighboring fire departments being called on to respond to the Whitewater call, further delaying the actual response to an emergency call.

The estimated $1.1 million annual increased budget going forward if the City of Whitewater referendum passes assumes that several nearby communities that contract with Whitewater for Fire and EMS services will also be able to increase their contributions. It appears that none of those communities have determined if increased cost shares will require a referendum or if the community is supportive of scheduling a referendum. Some state legislators have argued for a change in the state’s property tax restrictions to allow for increasing public safety costs.

Editor’s note: This post was updated slightly on 10/8/22 at 6:10 a.m.

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris”

Tuesday, October 11, 1 p.m.

(Comedy/Drama)

Rated PG; 1 hour, 55 minutes (2022)

A widowed cleaning lady in 1950’s London falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, and decides that she must have one of her own. After she works, starves, and gambles to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on a Paris adventure, to the House of Dior. 

Editor’s note: The following item was published on the UW-W Police Department Facebook page.

The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Police Department had an interesting call for service on October 5 that involved trying to capture Severus the mini horse, who had so much fun on campus he didn’t want to go home. Severus gave himself a rather lengthy tour of campus and with the help of campus staff from UW-W Health-Counseling, UW-W UC-Student Activities & Involvement, and other helpful citizens, Severus was safely apprehended and loaded into his trailer to head home. Thanks to all that helped out to capture that fast little horse!

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-W Men’s Basketball, Baseball and Football.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football, men’s basketball and baseball booster
clubs will host the 27th annual Wally & Rod’s Raffle and Public Auction on Saturday, Oct.
15, at 6:30 p.m. in the James R. Connor University Center’s Hamilton Room, located on
the UW-Whitewater campus.
 
All proceeds for the event benefit the UW-Whitewater football, men’s basketball and
baseball programs.
 
In addition to several sports memorabilia and items, raffle tickets are also for sale for a
chance at cash prizes. Attendees with a ticket are eligible to win cash and cash card door
prizes courtesy of First Citizens State Bank. Winning tickets will be drawn at
approximately 9:30 p.m. and the winners need not be present to win.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the event. Admission is $20 per person and
includes food, beverage and one raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets may be purchased
for $20 each. Private tables are also available for purchase which includes 15 raffle
tickets and comes with 10 chairs.

If you have any questions or would like to purchase tickets, please contact Jarod
Wichser at wichserJJ08@uww.edu or (262) 472-1599.

We hope to see you on October 15!!

Men’s Basketball, Baseball & Football

The Banner appreciates being given permission to use the image on the homepage by Eulaine McIntosh from Pixabay.