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Assessor

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1. Why does the City of Middleton need an Assessor?

Assessors are governed by Chapter 70 of the Wisconsin Statutes. All taxable property must be discovered, listed, and valued in a fair and equitable manner. The Assessor is not involved in establishing mill rates or in the collection of property taxes.

2. How is property valued?

In most cases, residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings are assessed at market value. Farmland is often assessed at Use-Value, and personal property assessments are derived from information provided on the “Statement of Personal Property”.

3. What is the difference between Assessed Value and Estimated Fair Market Value?

The Assessed Value is the estimated market value of the property as determined by the Assessor. The Estimated Fair Market Value is the property’s Assessed Value divided by the average assessment ratio for the entire municipality. The average assessment ratio is the relationship between the total assessed value and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s estimate of total value for the municipality. More information on this subject can be found in the “Guide for Property Owners”.

WDOR 2023 Guide for Property Owners

4. How do I know if my assessment is correct?

Comparing sales of similar properties within your neighborhood is a good way to determine if the value is reflective of the market. Market value is defined as the amount a typical, well-informed buyer would be willing to pay for a property under typical market conditions. It is the Assessor's job to interpret changes in the market place.

5. Will my assessment change if I haven’t done anything to my property?

Even if you have made no changes to your property, it is possible that the assessed value could change. Things such as supply, demand, and inflation can influence the market which may result in a changed assessment.

6. If my new property is still under construction, how will it be assessed?

Assessments are based on what existed as of January 1. For example, if on the 1st of January a parcel consists of land and a building foundation, the assessment would only be for the value of the land and the foundation, not for a completed structure. After construction is completed, it will receive a full assessment the following year.

7. Will my property taxes increase if my assessment goes up?

The Assessor’s job is to place a fair and equitable value on each taxable property in the municipality. An increase or decrease of assessment does not necessarily mean that the amount of taxes you will pay will change. Tax rates are determined by the budgets of the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District, Waunakee Community School District, Madison College (MATC), the State of Wisconsin, Dane County, and the City of Middleton.

8. Can I contest the amount of taxes on my tax bill at the Assessor’s Office or at the Board of Review?

No. Only the assessment can be challenged. If you feel that taxes are too high, you may contact the appropriate taxing jurisdiction.

9. Someone from the Assessor’s office mailed me a postcard. What does this mean?

The Assessor will mail you a postcard when he/she would like to conduct a physical view of the property. In many cases, an inspection is requested if the property is newly constructed, has had a building permit, a neighborhood property analysis is being done, or if the interior of the property has never been seen. By physically viewing the property, the most accurate information will be available to the Assessor. If you get a postcard mailed to you, please call the number listed to schedule an appointment with the Assessor.

10. What if I do not allow the Assessor to enter my property?

You are not required to let someone from the Assessor’s Office into your property. A certified letter may be sent if there is no response to initial attempts to contact the property owner. If the property is not viewed internally, an estimate of value will have to be made using only the best information available. In addition, you may lose the right to appeal your assessment to the Board of Review for that assessment year if access into the property is not granted.

11. Will I receive an assessment notice?

The Assessor’s Office sends out a “Notice of Assessment” only if the assessment has changed from the prior year.

12. Can I contest my assessment?

A good time to discuss your assessment with an appraiser from the Assessor's Office is during the Open-Book session. If after discussing the value with an appraiser you are still in disagreement, you may appeal your assessment at the Board of Review. For additional information regarding the appeal process, you may refer to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s publication entitled: “Property Assessment Appeal Guide for Wisconsin Real Property Owners”

WDOR Property Assessment Appeal Guide

13. What is the Open Book session?

The open-book session is a period of time scheduled prior to the Board of Review to view the property assessment rolls, sale information, and/or speak with appraiser regarding your assessment.

14. What is the Board of Review?

If you still disagree with the assessed value of your property after discussing it with an appraiser at Open-Book, you may appear at the Board of Review at your scheduled date and time. The Board’s function is not one of valuation, but of deciding the validity of the facts presented by the property owner or representative and by the Assessor.

15. How do I schedule an appointment to appear at the Board of Review?

You may schedule an appointment by contacting the City Clerk at the number listed on your assessment notice. Written or oral notice of your intent to file an objection must be provided to the City Clerk at least 48-hours prior to the Board's first meeting. Your objection must be filed in writing with the Board of Review. Objection forms are available from the City Clerk, and must be competed in entirety.

16. What should I say to the Board at the time of my hearing?

Wisconsin Law states the Board of Review must uphold the Assessor’s valuation unless the property owner proves the value to be wrong. Therefore, the property owner must give sworn oral testimony and evidence relating to the value of the property. This evidence can be a recent sale of the property, sales of comparable properties, recent appraisals, or other such evidence that would give the Board of Review cause to change the assessment.

17. Where can I view property assessments for the City of Middleton?

Property assessment rolls are available for viewing in the Assessor’s Office. In addition, Dane County provides general assessment information on their web site Access Dane. Please keep in mind that if the assessment roll is not complete for that year, the assessments for the previous year are carried over into the current year on the web site until final values are received from the municipality. If you need specific information for properties located in the City of Middleton, you may contact the City Assessor’s Main Line: (608) 821-8350. Manufacturing property is not assessed at the local level. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue assesses all manufacturing property in the State of Wisconsin.

18. If I would like the Assessor’s Office to view my property, can I schedule an appointment?

Yes. Our Assessor is here to assure that we have the best information on record for your property.

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EMS

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1. When should I call 911?

Anytime you feel you have an emergency. If in doubt, call and let us help you decide if you or someone else will need to go to the hospital in an ambulance. However, keep in mind that 911 should only be used for life or limb threatening emergencies.

2. Why are ambulances sometimes left running while unattended?

A) We carry a large number of medications on the ambulances that must be kept within a narrow temperature range. If the medications are allowed to fall outside of the FDA recommended ranges, there is a risk that the potency and efficacy may be negatively affected. This means that we must make every effort to control the environment in which they are stored, which includes heating or cooling the interior of the vehicle during cold or warm weather.

B) We also try to control the inside environment of the ambulance for the comfort of our patients. During periods where outside temperatures are such that the interior of the ambulance can cool down or heat up rapidly, we try to avoid creating a situation where our patients may be exposed to these same variations. In cases of traumatic injury, we must thoroughly examine our patients and frequently remove much of their clothing. After examination and treatment, the patient must be immobilized and prepared for transport.Keeping a patient warm is a fundamental part of the treatment protocol for trauma victims and failure to control the environmental temperatures can have negative consequences for patient outcomes. For obvious reasons, we would not want to place an 85 year old grandmother with a spinal injury on an aluminum stretcher and plastic backboard that is at anything less than 60 degrees.Imagine yourself in this situation and I think you will quickly understand.

C) The ambulances have a large amount of electronic devices and technology systems that run off of the 12 volt DC power system. Many of these devices and systems (including computers) continue to run and consume power even if the ambulance is shut down. When the engine idles, it is also keeping the electrical system charged and all of the on-board systems ready for action. If these items are left operating for longer periods of time without the engine running, we risk depleting the 12 volt batteries and not having sufficient reserve capacity to actually start the engine when needed. This is the same reason why the ambulances are connected to a 120 volt AC powered charging system as soon as they return to the station and are parked in the apparatus bay.

D) Believe it or not, but while idling, the diesel engines in our ambulances use very little fuel. We certainly are aware of your concerns and we try to avoid waste in all of our daily operations. However, for the reasons stated above, we feel that idling is a necessary practice in certain situations.

3. Is there an ambulance fee?

Yes, Middleton EMS is generally supported by two sources. These sources include tax levy and user fees. This means that a portion of the cost of operating this service is paid for by taxpayers. To help offset the taxpayers' cost, most services charge a user fee. This fee includes a base rate per call, as well as a mileage charge. Depending on the type of call, there may also be procedure charges and charges for any disposables used. These charges reflect only a small portion of the actual cost of providing these services. Middleton EMS makes every effort to contain these costs.

4. What do I do when approached by an emergency vehicle using lights and siren?

Pull to the Right! Wisconsin state law says that you must yield the right-of-way to police vehicles, fire apparatus, ambulances or other emergency vehicles using a siren, air horn or a red or blue flashing light. Pull over to the right edge of the road or as near to the right as possible and stop when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction. Follow any instructions given over the emergency vehicle’s loudspeaker. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over. If the emergency vehicle using lights or siren is on the other side of a divided highway, you do not need to pull over and stop. You must not pass an emergency vehicle that is about to back into, or is backing into, the driveway entrance of a fire and/or EMS station. It is illegal to pass or follow within 500 feet of a moving emergency vehicle with its' red or blue lights on and siren operating. This includes while driving on freeways or other limited access highways.

When approaching law enforcement and other emergency vehicles, tow trucks, road machinery or highway construction or maintenance vehicles (that are stopped on or near a highway and are using flashing emergency lights), you must move into a lane not nearest the stopped vehicle and travel in that lane until you have gone by the stopped vehicle(s). If it is unsafe to move into another lane, slow down until you have passed the stopped vehicle(s).

5. What can I do until help arrives?

There are a few things you can do to help the ill or injured person(s) while you are waiting for help to arrive:
1) Stay calm and reassure the patient that help is on the way.
2) Do what the 911 emergency dispatcher tells you to do. You may also be instructed to perform some basic life-saving skills that you can initiate while EMS/Fire/Police personnel are enroute.
3) Make the patient as comfortable as possible, but, don't place anything underneath their head, like a pillow, to make them more comfortable. This could cause further injury. Never move the patient unless they are in imminent danger where they are.
4) Try and secure any pets so they do not get away or interfere with any EMS/Fire/Police personnel.
5) Have someone available to direct the EMS/Fire/Police personnel to the patient.

6. Who will respond when I call 911?

Depending on the type and the severity of a call, a decision will be made as to what type and number of units will respond to a call. A typical medical call will receive one ambulance. If the call turns out to be a severe emergency, it is very possible that additional resources such as the fire district and police department will be utilized to perform a vital function. At times, the call may be minor and reqiure less personnel. However, once on scene, it is the job of the paramedics to determine the needs of the patient(s).

7. Do all communities provide the same level of care?

No, only a few communities in Dane County provide an advance life support paramedic level of care. These communities include the City of Middleton, City of Fitchburg/Verona, Town of Madison, City of Madison, and the City of Sun Prairie. All other services provide basic life support EMT or Advanced EMT level of care.

8. What is a paramedic intercept?

A paramedic intercept is when a paramedic staffed ambulance meets up with a non-paramedic staffed ambulance to provide advanced life support. Advanced life support is warranted when a patient's condition and need for treatment exceeds the basic life support level of care.

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Main

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1. How do I contact a city department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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Parks Rec and Forestry

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1. The weather is inclement, is the program still running as scheduled?

For the safety of our participants, programs are occasionally cancelled due to inclement weather. Please call the recreation weather line at (608) 821-8357 or visit our facebook page - City of Middleton Public Lands, Recreation, Forestry, and Youth Center.

main page.

2. How do I know if I am a Resident, School District Resident, or Non-Resident?

Registration for programs, facility reservations, and aquatic memberships offer various rates based on where you reside. A resident is anyone who resides within the city limits and pays taxes to the city (this does not include Town of Middleton). A School District Resident is anyone that resides within the Middleton-Cross Plains School District boundaries. A Non-Resident is anyone who resides outside of the city limits.

3. Can I get a refund once I have signed up for a program?

Full refunds will be made on all classes that are canceled by the Recreation Division. Full refunds will be honored for any written request made a minimum of 5 days prior to the start of the program. No refunds will be issued once the program has started. Refunds will not be issued for unattended classes, weather related cancellations, or holiday dates. A $5.00 service charge is withheld for all refunds, unless activity is cancelled by the Recreation Division.

4. When can I purchase my Aquatic Center membership?

You can purchase your membership in the beginning April each year, at our main office.

5. When does the Aquatic Center open?

The Aquatic Center opens for the season the weekend after the Middleton-Cross Plains School District is out for the summer and closes the weekend BEFORE Labor Day.

6. Where do I find information about the Middleton Gators Swim and Dive Team?

Visit their website at MiddletonGators.com

7. If my facility rental requires keys, when can I pick them up?

Rental keys must be picked up the business day prior to the rental at City Hall from 8:00am-4:30pm and must be returned the business day after the rental.

8. How far in advance can I reserve a shelter?

We accept reservations one year in advance. For more information, please visit Rentals and Reservations.

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Planning

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1. Where can I find the zoning of a property?

The zoning can be found on the planning department's webpage. Click on the 'maps' category on the left hand side of the page, and then click on 'zoning map.' Zoning Map

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Public Works

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1. Who maintains the trees within the public road right-of-way?

Trees that reside between the sidewalk and road (often referred to as the terrace) fall under City ownership and as such the City is responsible for pruning and removal as necessary.  Tree pruning under and around power-lines is not conducted by city staff. This is handled by the utility companies themselves and they are regulated by law as to how much pruning is needed.

It is not permissible for a resident to prune city terrace trees. However if you do wish to have a city terrace tree(s) pruned to a greater degree or in a faster manner than what the city can provide, please contact the City Forester/Horticulturist, Mark Wegner, and you may be issued a permit to have a licensed, professional tree service do the work for you. We require this in order to maintain proper pruning techniques, to accurately track tree care activities, and to protect the city from liability issues.

For more information, please call the Parks & Recreation Department at 608-821-8380 or visit the Parks & Recreation's Forestry webpage.

2. How do I reach DPW after hours?

If you have an emergency after hours, please call the non-emergency Police Department at 608-824-7300.  Dispatch is in contact with the Department of Public Works and can direct the response as required.

For non-emergencies after hours, your may report a problem through our website, email our general mailbox at dpw@ci.middleton.wi.us or leave a voice message at 608-821-8370.

3. When will my leaves and yard waste be picked up?

Unscheduled collection of leaves and garden waste will be provided in April, October and November (weather permitting). Please see the City's Leaf and Garden Waste Collection Policy for a description of the spring and fall unscheduled leaf and garden waste collection service.

4. When will my branches and brush be picked up?

Scheduled brush collection will be provided once per month from April through October. Please see the City’s Brush Collection Policy for a description of the brush collection service. The following links provide a map of scheduled brush collection areas.

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Public Works - Sidewalk Maintenance Program

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1. When can I make minor repairs to the sidewalk?

You are encouraged to perform preventitive maintenance to extend the life of the concrete at any time, thus deferring the cost of repair or replacement. A narrow crack in the concrete (less than 1/2" wide) can be filled in with a quality concrete caulk such as DuPont's "Concrete and Masonry Sealant with Kevlar"

2. What do the colored dots and arrows on the concrete mean?

Each spring, City Engineering Technicians walk the project area, marking deficient sections of the sidewalk, curb ramps, driveway aprons, and curb and gutter. The markings are as follows:

White Dot: Sections have been marked to draw your attention to defects in the section; repairs on these sections can be made by the property owner.

White Line: These sections that have been marked are either heaved or subsided, Saw Cutting or Mud Jacking repairs are required. These repairs must be made by a qualified person, firm or corporation.

Pink Dot: These sections have been scheduled for replacement. These repairs must be made by a qualified person, firm or corporation.

In some cases sidewalk sections adjacent to a curb ramp are marked for replacement so that the slope of the curb ramp can be reduced to meet standards of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The cost of these sections are covered by the City.

Shortly before the contractor is to begin concrete removal you will see new markings on the sidewalk. These new markings will be pink arrows showing the contractor where to make cuts and what sections need to be removed.

3. What repairs / replacements am I responsible for?

• The property owners are assessed the full costs of the rehabilitation and replacement of Public Sidewalk along the frontage of their property and, a 25 % credit is given for work along a side yard frontage. (1-8-1996)

• The City will pay 100% costs for the maintenance of Inter-Block sidewalks. (7-8-2002)

• The City will pay for 50% of the costs for the REPLACEMENT of sidewalk sections when damaged is determined to have been caused by roots from city trees. (9-5-2017)

• Curb and gutter rehabilitation or replacements are currently the responsibility of the City.

• The City will pay 100% of the costs associated with curb ramps, when required by ADA Guidelines. This will also include up to 15 feet of sidewalk that might need to be adjusted to make the slopes comply with standards.

• If a driveway apron is determined to be a safety hazard to the general public, and if it is currently surfaced with concrete or asphalt, the City will assess property owners half the costs to replace driveway aprons. Any new driveway aprons will be constructed of concrete per City standards. If driveway aprons are not currently paved, the full cost of the new concrete apron will be assessed to the property owner.

4. What are Obstructions?

As a property owner you are the maintaining authority of the sidewalk adjacent to your property. In addition to correction of structural deficiencies, the public sidewalk must be kept free of obstructions.

These obstructions are not limited to just removing snow and ice during the winter months. It will include issues like parked vehicles, signs, leaves, grass, flowers, plants and shrubs that are overhanging the sidewalk. In addition, limbs from trees located on private property must be pruned to a minimum 10-foot clearance above the sidewalk.

The City of Middleton will prune and maintain the terrace trees (between the curb and the sidewalk)- Please contact Public Lands at 608-821-8360, to inform the City Forester, Mark Wegner of the terrace trees that are in need of pruning.

5. When will the work begin in my neighborhood?

Three different contractors will be working in the project area. While project time lines and progress are weather dependent, it is our intention to pursue work in the following general time line:

Mud Jacking sections between June and early July.

Saw Cut sections between June and early July.

Removal and replacement of sections between Mid July and the start of the school year.

If you think the concrete work may conflict with something you have scheduled, please contact the project managers.

6. Can I hire my own contractor or do the work myself?

Based upon Middleton City Ordinance 8.03(2) sidewalk replacement work must be done by a person, firm or corporation whose qualifications to perform such work have been approved by the City Engineer.

As the property owner, you have the option of causing the work to be performed by a qualified person, firm or corporation. Any work caused to be done by the property owner shall meet City standards, and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The removal and replacement, Mud Jacking, and Saw Cutting of sidewalk sections will require a Street Opening Permit; this is a no cost permit for tracking projects. While the rehabilitation of the public sidewalks such as filling small cracks etc, can be conducted by the property owner and does not require a Street Opening Permit.

7. Can I hire the City contractors for additional work on my property?

You may contact one or more of the contractors yourself for any additional work such as your driveway, front walk, or patio. You may get a favorable quote because the contractor will be in the area and can coordinate your work with the City's work. Please contact an Engineering Technician at 608-821-8370 for contact information.

8. Will this work affect my invisible fence or lawn irrigation system?

The Public Right of Way typically extends 1' beyond the interior edge of the sidewalk (furthest edge from the road). The City does not permit installation of any items like invisible fence, lawn irrigation systems or other private improvements within the Public Right of Way. The City is not responsible for any damage to invisible fencing or sprinkler systems that have been installed within the Public Right of Way.

9. I have water ponding on my sidewalk, and it appears to be pitched towards the street.

If your sidewalk is pitched toward the road, and you still have ponding water, the adjoining grass either in the terrace or your lawn may have overtime filled in with dirt or soils. You can look at a number of options before the replacement of the sidewalk. Roll the adjoining grassy areas with a lawn roller to compact the soil. Remove soil from the adjoining area, or create small channels through the adjoining areas to allow water to properly drain from the sidewalk.