How does the levy limit impact your community's services? We have not cut any services at this time.
How does the levy limit impact your community's budgeting practices and finances, eg, your amount of borrowing? We have to short-term borrow (1-2 yr notes) for Capital Equipment that used to be in the budget, i.e. police vehicles, computer equipment, small improvement projects under $10,000.
How does the levy limit impact your community's staffing levels and employee compensation? Departments just know that there can be no increase in operations if they want employees to get an increase. We have limited wage increases to 1-2% and increased incentive for opting out of health insurance to reduce costs. We've allocated employees to work in the utilities to help with the shortfall. We've had to delay replacing employees until the department absorbs any separation payments, so no overlapping.
Anything else you'd like to say regarding the impact of levy limits on your community? It should be the community's choice whether taxes are too high through the election process and governing body meetings/forums. On the other hand it should be the local government's awareness of what can their community afford and make it a viable place for people and businesses to live. If the median household income is $40,000 the governing body has to know that taxes cannot be higher than a community with a $75,000 median.