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1. What is an assessment and what is its purpose?

An assessment is the value placed upon taxable real and personal property by the assessor.  This figure determines the portion of the local property tax levy that the property will bear.

2. What is a revaluation?

A revaluation is the determination of new values within a municipality for taxation purposes.  A revaluation can vary in authority, frequency, form and the conditions under which it is performed. Therefore section 70.05(5) Wis.Stats., requires each municipality to assess property within ten percent of full value at least once every five years.  A revaluation can also be done annually or periodically as deemed necessary to best serve the public interest.

3. Revaluations are expensive. Are they really necessary?

A complete revaluation of all taxable real and personal property within a municipality is periodically necessary.  There may be several reasons for this:  (1) the current assessment may not have been made in substantial compliance with the law; (2) inequities may exist within classes of property; (3) inequities may exist between classes of property; (4) the governing body may desire an updating of records to show the physical characteristics of all its taxable real and personal property; (5) a governing body may desire an original inventory of all its taxable property; or (6) the assessment level may not be in compliance with current law, which requires each major class of property to be within ten percent of the state’s equalized value for the corresponding major class.  When inequities happen, some property owners are paying more than their fair share of the property tax levy and some are paying less.  A complete reassessment or revaluation may be the only remedy.  Most property owners are willing to pay the expenses of a revaluation to be more assured that all are paying their fair share of property taxes.

4. Do taxes go up after revaluation?

If the total levy remains the same, only those properties that are not presently paying their fair share of the tax burden will pay more taxes after a revaluation.  Properties presently paying more than their fair share will pay less.  The purpose of a revaluation is to distribute the tax burden fairly and equitably among the taxable properties in the municipality in accordance with the law.  The purpose is not to increase taxes.  Tax increases are directly related to the budgetary needs of the taxing jurisdictions. 

5. What is the Open Book?

The Open Book is a window of time where the completed assessment roll is “open” for public inspection so you may compare your assessment with other properties.  There will be sales books listing recent improved property and vacant land sales.   No appointment is needed to view these.   If a taxpayer has any questions regarding their assessment, you may schedule an appointment to talk one-on-one with an assessor where you can discuss how your assessment was developed, verify the physical attributes of your property, express any concerns or present new evidence that you feel should be considered in determining the assessed value.  If you wish to appeal our assessment, it is recommended that you attend the Open Book prior to scheduling an appointment for the Board of Review.  Property and assessment information can also be found on our website at www.assessordata.org.

6. What is the Board of Review?

The Board of Review is held after the Open Book.  Taxpayers who feel their assessment doesn’t reflect the actual market value of their property may appear before the Board of Review to formally object to their assessed value.  Taxpayers present evidence as to what they feel market value should be and the assessor presents evidence on how the assessment was derived.  The Board hears the evidence and makes a final decision on the assessed value of the property.  NOTE: You must provide written or oral evidence of your intent to file an objection with the municipal Clerk at least 48 hours before the Board of Review’s first scheduled meeting.  You can obtain an objection form from your municipal Clerk.  The objection form must be filed with the Clerk during the first 2 hours of the Board’s first scheduled meeting.  Make sure you file a completed form, or the Board may refuse to act on your appeal.

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1. How do I schedule an appointment for a building inspection?

Call Safebuilt Inspections at 262-346-4577  and have your permit number handy. Inspections need to be called in by 4 pm for next business day inspections.

2. What do I need a building permit for?

A permit protects the homeowner and the future occupants of the home. Pulling a permit is just the beginning of your relationship with the building inspector. Look for them to stop by at key stages of your project to make sure your work is compliant with codes and done correctly. The following is a list of common construction projects that require a building permit, however, this list is not all-inclusive:

• Furnace and Air Conditioning
• Decks and Porches
• Demolition work
• Additions
• Electrical work
• Fences
• Handrails and stairs
• Plumbing
• Pool construction or renovation
• Roof repairs or re-roofing
• Sheds and Accessory Buildings
• Siding
• Window replacements (if original dimensions are being altered)

3. Do I need to bury my Electrical lines

Yes, all new electrical services and upgrades are required to be done underground per Ordinance 1995-07.

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1. Where can I get sandbags during a flood?

Sand bags and sand are made available during major flood events at the Village Public Works Yard located at 132 West Freistadt Road.

2. Where can I park during a snow emergency?

Parking is not allowed on any Village street during a snow emergency. Arrangements must be made for off-street parking. Contact the Police Department for parking permissions 262-242-2100.

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1. How do I make a drainage complaint?

Contact the Public Works Department 262-242-3720 or Report a Concern via our online request tracker. Report a Concern

2. Do I need to replace my driveway culvert?

When you replace your driveway contact the public works director. The Department of Public Works will visit the site and determine the need based on condition of the culvert and any drainage issues. For more details, please contact the Public Works Department at 262-242-3720.

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1. How do I report a fire code violation?

To report a fire code violation, Report Online, contact the Fire Inspection Office at 262-242-3393, or stop at the station at 250 Elm Street during normal business hours.

2. How do I request a recent incident’s run report?

A request for a run report can be made by sending a written request to the Fire Chief at:
250 Elm St.
Thiensville, WI 53092.

Note:Due to patient privacy rights, medical records can only be released with the patient’s written permission.

3. Do I need to pull a permit and submit plans to the fire department if I am remodeling or building a business, multi-family, assembly etc.?

Yes, plan review and permitting is a requirement for new construction and remodeling of commercial structures, multi-family residential buildings, and places of assembly. Learn More.... 

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1. Where are Village meetings held?

At the Village Hall, 250 Elm Street. They typically start at 6PM

2. How do I contact a city/county department?

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

3. 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.

4. Why is the flag half-staff?

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1. HOW DO I PAY FOR A PARKING TICKET?

DO NOT PAY FOR PARKING TICKETS THROUGH PAY.GOV

Online payments are accepted through the Village of Thiensville website at village.thiensville.wi.us.  Go to:  Online Payments (at the very bottom of the homepage), Payment Type drop down, select Parking Fines, enter Ticket Number (Citation No. located at the very top right) and enter Amount.  Continue to complete all the fields below.

Check or cash can be mailed or paid at the Police Department, 250 Elm Street.  If you wish to pay via credit card, you may contact our Department at 262-242-2100 Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  YOU MUST HAVE YOUR PARKING CITATION NUMBER WHEN CALLING.

If you have questions regarding your citation, please contact the Department at 262-242-2100.

2. How do I receive a copy of a police report?

Complete an Open Records Request form.  After review and approval, you will be contacted to pick up the report. Cost is 25 cents per page.

3. How do I pay my traffic or ordinance citation?

THIS DOES NOT PERTAIN TO PARKING TICKETS

Payment can be made to the Mid-Moraine Municipal Court Office, 962 West Paradise Drive, West Bend, WI 53095. Credit card payments can be made by calling 1-888-891-6064, hit Option #1 or go to mmmcourt.com to pay online.  Mid-Moraine Municipal Court's number is 262-334-5700.  This option is for traffic tickets only; pay for parking tickets by utilizing the Online Payments tab on the Village website.

4. Does the Thiensville Police issue license plates or transfer title paperwork?

No, Cedarburg Police does this. Check their website for further information.

5. Does the Thiensville Police Department demonstrate how to install child car seats?

No, Cedarburg or Grafton Police Departments have officers that will assist.

6. How do I pick up a copy of an accident report?

You can pick it up at the police station. The cost is generally around $2.50.

7. Can I ride or operate an electric scooter commonly purchased in a department store on the road?

No; the Department of Transportation has no provision to register these types of vehicles.

8. Can I park my car on the street at night?

No vehicles are to be parked on the roadway from 2 AM to 6 AM, seven days a week.  If you have overnight guests, call the non-emergency police line at 262-242-2100 to request permission to park the vehicles on the roadway.  You may also fill out a request online.

9. What can I do with expired or unwanted medications?

Prescription and non-prescription medications can be dropped off at the Police Department.

10. What types of medications are not accepted?

Needles, sharps, thermometers, bloody or infectious waste, inhalers, ointments, liquids, creams, or medications from businesses are not accepted.

11. Can I ride electric scooters on the roadway?

No, The Wisconsin Department of Transportation makes no provision to register that type of vehicle. No unregistered / unregisterable vehicle may be operated on the roadway.

12. Do I need a permit to solicit in the Village of Thiensville?

If you are going door to door in a residential area, an applicant and background check must be completed first by the police department prior to soliciting. Permits issued from other municipalities cannot be used in Thiensville.  Soliciting business to business, no permit required.

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1. Is there anything I can do to prevent sewage backup into my home?

Avoid putting grease down your garbage disposal or household drain. It can solidify, collect debris and accumulate in Village lines, or build up in your own system.

Never flush disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, or paper towels down the toilet. They could stop up your drains and may damage your plumbing system.

If the lateral line in your older home has a jointed pipe system, consider whether the roots of large shrubs or trees near the line could invade and break pipes.

Know the location of your lateral line(s). Property maps can often be acquired from your Village planning department.

A basement floor drain, may one day be affected by a backup because it is located below ground level.

One way to prevent sewage backup through such below ground areas is to Install a “back-flow valve” on the lowest drain(s).

Use a plumber’s test plug to close these drains when not in use.

For further information about preventive measures, contact a plumber or plumbing supply dealer.

2. What does the municipality do to prevent this problem?

Every attempt is made to prevent backups in the public wastewater system before they occur. Sewer lines are specially designed to prevent accumulation and stoppages.

In addition, we have maintenance crews that are devoted to inspecting and cleaning wastewater lines throughout the Village on a regular schedule.

Degreasing chemicals are also injected into lines in areas that are prone to stoppages, such as those near restaurants, apartments or high density housing developments.

Even with our maintenance schedule, however, backups are often beyond the Village’s control. Most that do occur are confined to the sewage pipeline, rather than backing up into a home.

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1. What should I do if sewage backs up into my home?

Contact:
Public Works
Ph: (262) 242 -3720

After Hours
Ph: (262) 242-2100

First, take action to protect people and valuable property. Ceramic plumbing fixtures such as toilets are fragile, quickly close all drain openings with stoppers or plugs.

Tub, sink, and floor drains may need additional weight to keep them sealed. A string mop can be used to help plug toilet openings.

Don’t run any water down your drains until the blockage has been cleared.

A quick check with nearby neighbors will help determine if the backup appears to be in your neighbor’s wastewater line, and/or widespread in your neighborhood. In this case, call the Department of Public Works immediately.

Call a plumber if the problem is in your lateral service line.

2. What will the Village do about a sewer backup onto my property?

You will be asked questions about the backup timing, location, the property at risk, etc.

Village personnel will check for blockages in the main line. If found, the blockage will be immediately cleared.

If the main line is not blocked, you will be advised to call a plumbing or sewer contractor to check your lateral line.

Maintenance and repair of the lateral line is the owner’s responsibility.

To minimize damage and negative health effects, you should arrange for cleanup of the property as soon as possible.

There are qualified businesses that specialize in this type of cleanup.

If the sewer backup onto your property resulted from blockage in the main sewer line, Village personnel will explain what the Village can immediately do to help take care of the problem.

3. Will my insurance cover any damage to my home or property?

In the majority of cases, a special rider will need to be added to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to cover damages related to sewage backups or water damage. This optional coverage is usually not very expensive, but you must usually request that it be added to your policy. Check with your insurance agent about this policy provision.