Advertisement The hearing was called in response to a request by the West Salem Municipal Joint Water and Sewer Utility to change the way fire protection costs are billed. According to Village Administrator Teresa Schnitzler, the requested changes would make the system fairer.
“Up until now, none of our tax-exempt entities were paying for the services they were receiving,” Schnitzler said.
The new method of cost recovery would mean that churches, schools and any other entities that do not pay property taxes would begin to see a charge on their quarterly water bill.
“By taking the cost off the general tax levy and putting it on a direct bill it does make things more fair, plus it eases the burden on the general fund,” Schnitzler said.
Since there are very few municipalities that have not already converted to taking fire costs off the general levy, according to Schnitzler, she expects the Public Service Commission to look favorably on the water and sewer utility’s request.
“I’m pretty sure Holmen does this now, and Trempealeau switched over recently,” Schnitzler said.
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