In a move that's stirred up considerable controversy in the community, the Menomonee Falls Village Board has decided to adjusts its financial priorities. According to a report by FOX6, the board unanimously approved redirecting $300,000 from the library tax levy to bolster the police department's budget for the upcoming year. This decision follows an increase in serious crime by 18% compared to the previous year as reported by Police Chief Mark Waters during a board meeting last month.
Not everyone welcomed this shift in funding. Residents took to a board meeting on Monday night to express their concerns, a segment of whom were quoted by WISN stating, "It is not the library's fault that the village board has mismanaged and don't have the money for the police." The board's rationale for the redistribution came down to a surplus in the library's budget from the previous year, leading the board to deduce that the police department could make beneficial use of the extra funds.
The implications of this budget cut on the library's resources and staffing are yet to be determined. Village Board President Jeremy Walz, in a statement obtained by WISN, noted that "The library board and staff has a chance to build their budget based on the funds they have been allocated by the village board." Walz also acknowledged the value of the library to the village, despite the board's actions seemingly at odds with this sentiment.
While the board stands united in its decision, the residents of Menomonee Falls remain notably divided. Reporting by TMJ4 reflects a community torn between the necessity of adequate police funding and the importance of maintaining a robust library system. Scheduled to meet on Wednesday is the village's library board, with the hope for some residents that they will provide insight into how these budget changes will unfold before they take effect in 2026.
