Aquatics

Important Update Regarding Property Tax Impact Estimates:

The Village would like to share two important things about the upcoming Public Aquatics Facility Referendum. First, and most importantly, be sure to VOTE on November 8^th or by absentee ballot. Click here for voting information (https://www.vil.waunakee.wi.us/1077/November-8-2022-Election-Information).

Second, we would like to provide an update on the estimated cost impact of the proposed facility. When the Village Board approved the referendum question, they made assumptions based on the very best information available. One assumption related to the cost of interest in order to borrow project capital funds. We were able to estimate that if the Village moves forward with the project, the approximate impact on property taxes due to construction and operating costs is an increase of $44 per $100,000 in assessed property value. The $44 estimate included those initial interest cost assumptions.

However, recognizing that interest rates are increasing, the Village asked our professional financial advisors to reconsider the interest rate assumption and the property tax impact estimate. Their revised estimate is that the impact on property taxes is an estimated increase of $53.75 per $100,000 in assessed property value. For example, if your property is worth $350,000, the estimated property tax increase would be $188.13 ($53.75 x 3.5).

Background Information

The Village of Waunakee Board of Trustees is studying the idea of adding a community aquatics facility to those provided to our residents. The firm Counsilman-Hunsaker was hired in 2021 to assist with this study process. The results or their work including a considerable amount of community conversation and input can be found here.

At their meeting on July 5 and July 18, 2022, the Village Board approved a Referendum Question and Explanatory Statement to be placed on the ballot of the November 8, 2022 general election. Follow the links on the left to learn more about this project.

Visit this page frequently to stay up-to-date with the conversation about this project. The links on the left will connect you with more details about this process.

Meeting Video Recordings

Staff Summary Video

This video provides an overview of the referendum produced by Village staff and a representative with the Village's consultant - Counsilman-Hunsaker.

Public Information Meeting #1 (October 3, 2022)

This meeting was held at the same time as the regular Village Board meeting and included a presentation from Village Staff and a Q&A session from the public.