Published by the Village of Union Grove - December 2019
Property Tax Payments
Annual property tax bills were mailed out to Union Grove property owners on November 22. Copies of tax bills can be obtained online from the county's  MyTaxBill web app . For information on tax bill payment options, click here .

While the Village-portion of the tax rate has not increased compared to last year, most property owners will notice an overall increase in their tax bill of around 4%. This was primarily due to school district referendums, which are listed near the middle of the tax bill.

Lottery and Gaming Credit
If your home in Union Grove 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 $249.80, 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 Municipal Center at 262-878-1818.

Village Budget Adopted
On November 11, the Village Board held a public hearing on the 2020 Budget and subsequently adopted the budget and the property tax levy. To view the full Village Budget document,  click here .
Peter Hansen Appointed as Village Trustee
On November 6, the Village Board held a special meeting to interview candidates interested in the vacant Village Trustee position. After deliberation, the Board approved the appointment of Peter Hansen to fill the remainder of the vacant term, which expires in April 2021.

Mr. Hansen previously served for 27 years on the Racine County Board (16 years representing Union Grove) and was the chairman of the County Board for seven years. He also served as chairman of the Gateway Technical College board for nine years, chairman for Town/Village of Yorkville for seven years, director of the Wisconsin County Association for seven years and member of the Racine County Children with Disabilities School Board for 10 years. Mr. Hansen served as member of the Union-Grove Fire Department for seven years. Welcome to the Board, Pete, and thank you to all of the individuals who applied for the vacancy.
Save the Date: Land Use Planning Workshop on January 29
All Union Grove residents, property owners, businesses and other community members are invited to a public workshop planned for Wednesday, January 29, 2020, 6-8 p.m. at the Union Grove Municipal Center (first floor Community Room). The purpose of the workshop is to gather input for updating the Village's land use map. Last adopted in 2009, the land use map depicts a long-term vision of how the Village will grow and change to accommodate expected population and job growth. Participants in the workshop will have an opportunity to review data and help provide a vision for growth in Union Grove.
Winter Parking Reminders
Alternate side parking is in effect November 15 through March 15. During this period, overnight parking is permitted only on the even-numbered side of the street on the nights bearing an even calendar date during the hours from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., and on the odd-numbered side of the street on those nights bearing an odd calendar date during the hours from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on any street in the Village, except Main Street where there is no overnight parking. There are three occasions which require parking on the odd-numbered side of the street on consecutive nights. They are December 31–January 1, January 31–February 1 and February 29-March 1. Motorists who fail to observe these regulations may be fined, and their vehicles may be towed.

Snow Emergencies
In the event that a snow emergency is declared, all vehicles must be off the streets to give snowplows and emergency vehicles better access to area roads. Snow emergencies are announced on the Village website and on local news outlets. Thank you for your cooperation!
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Thursday, December 5, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Village Square Park. Festivities include a countdown to the lighting of Village Christmas Tree and Santa Claus will arrive on a fire engine and distributes candy filled stocking to children. Free refreshments including hot chocolate and cookies will be provided. The event is presented by the Greater Union Grove Area Chamber of Commerce.
Holiday Recycling Tips
With all of the extra goods and materials consumed during the holiday season, please keep the following tips in mind:

  1. Purchase wrapping paper made with recycled materials and that will also be recyclable. Waxy and glittery paper can not be recycled and should go in the garbage. If it has a lot of tape and is crumpled up it is also garbage.
  2. Put out the recycling bin during parties. Make it easy for guests to recycle their glass bottles and aluminum cans by putting the recycling bin next to the trash can.
  3. Stringy decorations like holiday lights and tinsel look good on trees but create a mess once inside recycling facilities. Lights and tinsel should be thrown into the trash (or better yet, reused next year!).
  4. When you’re done unwrapping your gifts, be sure to break down the boxes before putting them in your recycling cart.
  5. Choose experiences over products. When deciding on what to get your loved ones for the holidays, consider looking beyond material goods. Gifting an experience, like concert tickets, a long weekend out of town or a donation to their favorite charity in their name, reduces waste and makes lasting memories.
  6. When shopping for your holiday gifts this season, consider choosing brands that are made with ocean plastic, reused fibers, or recycled paper.
  7. Bring your own shopping bag. Plastic bags are big troublemakers for the sorting equipment at recycling facilities.
  8. Recycle your old gadgets. Get a shiny new computer or phone this holiday season? Don’t toss out your old model – recycle it responsibly by bringing it to your local electronic recycling drop-off.
  9. Rinse your recyclables. Before you toss your empty eggnog carton into your blue bin, make sure to give it a quick rinse. Hit the big stuff – gloppy food waste and the like – then recycle.
  10. Check your recycling day. This year the holidays will NOT impact collection days, which will be Tuesday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 31.

Tips adapted from The Recycling Partnership .
Dog and Cat Licenses
Dog and cat owners can now stop by the Municipal Center to obtain 2020 pet licenses. The fee for the license is $10.00 per neutered/spayed animals and $15.00 for un-neutered/un-spayed animals. Three or four pets in any one household requires a Pet Fancier's License which costs $10.00 in addition to the individual licenses. A Kennel License is required for more than four pets; contact the Municipal Center for more information on the Kennel License.

Village ordinance requires proof of rabies vaccinations for all cats and dogs. If you have licensed your pet in the past, and the rabies vaccination is still good, you do not need to submit proof - we have it on file. However, if this is a new license, or if your animal was vaccinated in the last year, please provide the certificate from the veterinarian. All animal licenses are due no later than April 1, 2020. After that, a $10.00 penalty will be assessed for each animal, and added to the license fee.
Nomination Papers Available for Spring Election
Nomination forms are available for Union Grove residents interested in running for Village Board Trustee. Prospective candidates can begin collecting signatures today, December 1. The deadline to submit nomination forms is 5 p.m. on January 7, 2020.

The incumbents for the Village Trustee positions that are up for election are Gordon Svendsen (#2), Timothy Mallach (#4) and Ryan Johnson (#6). The spring election will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 and the primary election will be held February 18, 2020, if necessary. Nomination forms must be filed with the Union Grove Village Office. Copies of these nomination forms can be obtained at the Village Office or  online .
Village Board Updates
The Village Board held regular meetings on November 11 and November 25. Following is a recap of Village Board actions taken at these meetings:

November 11 Regular Meeting:
  • Held a public hearing for the 2020 Budget and approved Resolution 19-22, adopting the 2020 Budget and setting the tax levy amount.
  • Approved Resolution 19-23, establishing staff wage levels effective January 1, 2020.
  • Approved the purchase of add-ons for Caselle accounting system.
  • Appointed Trustee Hansen to Administration Committee (chairman), Building Board, Recreation & Parks Committee and Fire Commission.
  • Approved Resolution 19-24, to retain the law firm of Phipps, Deacon, Purnell, PLLC as outside counsel to handle opioid related claims asserted by the Village in state court.

November 25 Regular Meeting:
  • Approved an operator license for Danyelle Scanlon.
  • Approved the transfer of ownership of a Class "B" fermented malt beverage license for Parkside Cafe, 1400 15th Ave. to Nancy Jeans Kitchen LLC. Agent: Edgar J. Ayala.
  • Approved an agreement with Cleanco for Municipal Center janitorial services.
  • Approved a proposal submitted by League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance for property, crime, liability, crime and auto insurance beginning January 1, 2020.
  • Approved Resolution 19-25, setting forth the relocation order affecting property located at 709 15th Ave. (Parcel ID # 186-03-21-32-022-010).
  • Approved an engineering work order for TID No. 6 Offsite Utility Improvements Construction Engineering Services in the amount of $69,500.
  • Approved the award of bid to Bower Design and Construction for Entertainment Stage construction in the amount of $139,600.
  • Appointed Stephanie Kurt, Tom Sweet and Quinn Obermeyer to the Sex Offender Residency Appeals Board.
  • Approved the Kiwanis Club of Union Grove selling Christmas Trees in Village Square Park.
  • Set a December meeting date for the regular Village Board meeting to December 16 at 6 p.m.
Upcoming Meetings Schedule
Meetings will be held at Union Grove Municipal Center, 925 15th Ave., unless otherwise noted. Meeting dates and times are subject to change.

  • December 2 - Plan Commission (6 p.m.)
  • December 3 - Sex Offender Residency Appeals Board (6 p.m.)
  • December 9 - Water, Wastewater, Storm Water & Streets (6 p.m.)
  • December 10 - Building Board (6 p.m.)
  • December 11 - Library Board (5 p.m. at the library)
  • December 11 - Fire Commission (6 p.m. at the fire station)
  • December 16 - Village Board (6 p.m.)
  • December 17 - Cancelled: Community Development Authority

Visit the Village Meetings webpage for meeting agendas, which are posted at least 24 hours before the meeting time.