December 2019
2019 Property Tax Payments
Annual property tax bills were mailed out to Wind Point property owners on November 25. Copies of tax bills can be obtained online using Racine County's MyTaxBill web app . Information on how to pay the tax bill can be found on the tax bill insert and the Village website.
 Tax payments will show up in the Racine County system as soon as they are receipted (note there may be a delay for payments made at Johnson Bank). For questions on tax bills or payments, please contact the Village Office at 262-639-3524 or info@windpoint.org .

Lottery and Gaming Credit
If your home in Wind Point was your primary residence as of January 1, 2019, make sure you are receiving the Lottery and Gaming credit on your tax bill. You can check by reviewing your tax bill or by checking the Lottery Credit Finder. The credit amount for the 2019 tax bill is $187.02, which is set by the State based on revenue from the Wisconsin lottery, pari-mutuel on-track betting and bingo during the year. The credit can only be claimed for one property and cannot be claimed by renters or on business property, rental units, vacant land, garages or other property that is not the primary residence of the owner. You can still add or remove the credit from the 2019 tax bill before January 31 by contacting the Village Office at 262-639-3524.
Police Chief Rossman to Retire after 44 Years
Dave Rossman will be retiring on December 31 after a 44 ½ year career with the Wind Point Police Department and 52 years overall in law enforcement. Dave has served the Village of Wind Point as a part-time officer, assistant chief and chief. In addition to working for the Wind Point Police Department, Dave served 31 years with the Racine County Sheriff's Department. 

Dave and retired Police Chief Gil Bauman started the Wind Point Police Department in 1975. Dave was instrumental in helping the Police Department grow from its modest beginnings into the professional department that it is today. He helped the department obtain its certification through the State of Wisconsin in 1983. He also helped in creating the Wind Point/North Bay Municipal Court, and obtaining the Village’s 27 year police service contract with the Village of North Bay. 

We want to wish Dave the best in his retirement and to thank him for his long, successful and dedicated service to the residents of Wind Point. Congrats Dave on your retirement!
New Police Chief Search
The Village is accepting applications for the new police chief until Wednesday, December 18. Members of the Public Safety Committee and Personnel, Finance and Insurance Committee will be interviewing the first round of candidates in the middle of January.

Finalists for the position will be interviewed by the full Village Board at the end of January, with the goal of having a new chief appointed by the middle of February. More information about the position can be found by going to the Village's website.

In the interim, Police Officer Rick Von Drasek has been named the Village's Interim Police Chief starting on January 1. We want to thank Officer Von Drasek for helping out during this transition period.
Village Board of Trustees Nominations
Nomination forms are now available for Wind Point residents interested in running for the office of Village Trustee. There are three board seats up for election in 2020. The incumbents include Casey Jones and Emily Lawrence. Trustee Karen Van Lone has decided to not run for re-election.

Nomination forms and instructions are now available and can be obtained Village Office or online. Once a prospective candidate has these documents they can begin collecting signatures. The deadline to submit nomination forms is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.

The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. If necessary, the primary election will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

Nomination forms for Village Trustee must be filed with the Wind Point Village Office. If you have any questions regarding running for office please contact Casey Griffiths, Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer at 262-639.3524 or c.griffiths@windpoint.org.
2020 Dog License Reminder
Dog owners can now stop by the Village Office to obtain their 2020 dog licenses. A dog license application, along with license fee and copy of rabies certification, should be submitted to the office in-person, by mail or in the dropbox located in the circle driveway near the office. If submitting by mail or dropbox, please remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the dog tag and receipt to be returned to you, otherwise it will be kept at the front counter for you to pick up. Dog license applications are provided on the tax bill inserts and are also available   online .  State law requires dogs 5 months of age or older to be licensed each year.
Remember to Pick Up Dog Waste
Please remember when you are out walking your dog to pick up dog waste. The Village code of ordinances require that dog owners pick up after their dog when they are on public property or if they are are on private property that is not their own. Village staff has received several complaints regarding owners not picking up dog waste at Village Green park and on Village roads.

Picking up dog waste is not just a courtesy, it is also a way to keep unwanted pollution out of Lake Michigan and other local waterways. Pet waste is considered a non-point source pollutant. This type of pollutant is caused by runoff from rainfall or snow-melt moving over the ground, picking up the pollutant and depositing it into bodies of water. The high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus in dog waste can harm aquatic ecosystems. Dog waste also can have bacteria and parasites, so please remember to pick up after your pet.
Landlord Registration Reminder
If you currently rent your property (or a portion of it) or are considering renting it, please keep in mind that Village ordinance requires all landlords to maintain registration with the Village. Landlord registration must be renewed every two years and within 10 days of a change to the property owner's contact information.

Under the ordinance, a premises is considered rented if any funds are paid by a resident to another party for the right to reside at the property. To download the landlord registration form, click here . There is a $10.00 filing fee for the initial submission and there is no fee to renew the registration.
Racine County Newsletter
Did you know that you can get weekly email updates from the Racine County's Executive's Office? The weekly newsletter provides information on all the things happening in Racine County, including updates on the Foxconn development. You can sign up for the newsletter by clicking here.
Village Board Updates
The Village Board of Trustees held a regular meeting on November 12, 2019. The following actions took place at the meeting:

  • Adopted the 2020 Budget, approved the tax levy, reserves designations, fee schedule and wage schedule.
  • Approved revisions to the job description for the Police Chief.
  • Approved the advertisement and candidate interview process for the Police Chief position.
  • Approved 2020 Insurance Renewals.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall (Lighthouse).
Village of Wind Point, Wisconsin
215 E. Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
262.639.3524