4A WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2024 THE POST-CRESCENT WI-GCI1035510-01 Why are more police officers needed in Menasha? population has increased in the past 50 years, rising from 14,836 in 1970 to 18,268 in 2020 as the city has grown east of Oneida Street. During that time, police has increase through the addition of one school resource in 2022. has changed over the past 50 years, and our workload continues to Thorn said in a memorandum to the council. In 2011, Menasha police responded to 11,952 calls for service. In 2023, the number rose to 13,628, a increase.
Thorn said the average response time has increased from 12 minutes in 2017 to 23 minutes in 2023. what has transpired over the past several years has put us Thorn said. The heavy workload can result in forced overtime, fatigue and burnout; increased risks to due to a lack of adequate backup; and an overreliance on mutual aid from nearby agencies. It also can limit community outreach and training opportunities for and impede the ability to recruit and retain employees. hire exceptional individuals with tremendous work ethic and com- mitment to service, but we have to be realistic in assessing their capability to handle such a volume of Thorn said.
During council meeting, residents spoke in favor of adding police but there a consensus on whether they should be added all at once or over time, nor was there a con- sensus on whether the should be funded within the levy limits or out- side the levy limits. How is the police department currently staffed? The police 32 sworn of- are assigned to the following posi- tions. Police chief Deputy chief Six lieutenants for patrol, one for investigations) Two investigators Lake Winnebago Area Metropoli- tan Enforcement Group investigator Public information Four school resource 16 patrol The six new positions would consist of three patrol two investiga- tors and a lieutenant. An earlier presentation called for hir- ing seven with the additional position assigned to mental health or enforcement, but not the current proposal. something the community wants us to explore, then we would ask to move up to Thorn said.
How much would the additional officers cost homeowners? Information presented Monday show the additional six would cost $949,207 annually, including salaries and equipment, vehicles and training. The cost translates to a tax increase of 73 cents per $1,000 of property value. The owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $146 in annual property taxes, and the owner of a $300,000 home would pay an addition- al $219 in annual taxes. Developer Steve Atkins, whose com- pany is building $600,000 to $700,000 homes in the Woodland Lakes Cottages subdivision, said the additional tax bur- den could turn away prospective buyers. No.
1 reason that people choose not to buy in Menasha, and in particular our development right now, is high tax- he said. Proposed referendum contain a sunset clause The referendum, as currently draft- ed, would read as follows. state law, the increase in the levy of the City of Menasha for the tax to be imposed for the next year, 2025, is limited to 1.7%, which results in a levy of $11,750,084. Shall the City of Menasha be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next year, 2025, for the purpose of hiring six (6) additional police and pro- vide the necessary training, equipment, and vehicles, by a total of 8.08%, which results in a levy of $12,699,291, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $949,207 for each year going for- Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993- 7176 or Follow him on Twitter at Police Continued from Page 1A The Franklin building dates to 1931. It was built by Wichmann Funeral Home and operated as such until 1959.
It served as Manor House restau- rant from 1961 to 1970 and as Hot Fish Shop from 1970 to 1977. Rollie Winter Realtors occupied the building starting in 1977. It also housed Whillikers Tavern in the early 1980s before becoming Green Streets Pub and Appleton Teen Scene. In 1988, the build- ing opened as Mongolian Bar- becue. Chris Sitzmann bought and restored the property in 2007, and Sitzmann Law Firm occupied it until its sale to the his- torical society.
Sitzmann retired after 46 years in practice. was concerned that the build- ing might be torn down and was anxious to see it the historical soci- ety said in a Facebook post. Sargeant said the historical society is conducting a $1.5 million capital cam- paign to support the purchase, renova- tion and move. are currently raising money through donors, and then go public and announce our future matching Sargeant said. have a $200,000 matching Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993- 7176 or Follow him on Twitter at Museum Continued from Page 1A The Durkee Street property, which the historical society has occupied since 2016, will be sold after the move to the Franklin Street property.
It will continue to serve as the home until then. The Appleton Historical History Museum and Research Center has occupied 128 N. Durkee St. since 2016. The building will be sold.
DAN TODAY NETWORK-WISCONSIN.
