To the Residents of the Village of Monticello,

Personally, I doubt that the average citizen of the state of Wisconsin has any idea as to how the levy limits imposed on us by the Wisconsin State legislature is affecting our ability to run our village business. As I have been talking directly to other smaller communities, I am finding they are facing the same dilemmas that we are facing. We are not in this alone. 

Being a 40-year resident of Monticello, having worked part-time in the village for eight years, having been asked to fill a vacancy on our village board, now as Chair of the Public Works Committee, I am compelled to address this letter to you. While employed here, I saw some things being done that made no sense to me. Now being on the board, maybe I’m beginning to understand why some of these decisions were made.

On January 10th, we held a forum to inform the citizens as to the situation we are in due to the state imposed levy limits. Only 34 citizens attended the forum, much to my disappointment. It was my desire to hold another forum; however the consensus of the board was that smaller gatherings might be more beneficial. The village president and I will be holding two informational meetings at the village hall. One on Thursday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Another on Saturday, March 10, from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Our information will be presented to you when we start the session and we will try to answer any questions that you may have. 

Understand the board consists of seven citizens that are tasked with the responsibility for the fiscal and physical maintenance of YOUR village. We want to know what you want us, as your representatives, to do while under the fiscal restraints placed on us by the state of Wisconsin and the dictates of other state agencies. We citizens have choices to make. We want your input because the choices we seven have to make will greatly affect you personally.  

Respectfully,

John Teasdale,

Village Trustee, Chair of Public Works