At the Oct. 10 Common Council meeting, City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Tommy Bohler reviewed the preliminary 2023 budget highlights and the 2023-2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) with council members, stating “the city is doing really well financially.” Bohler added that there will be a slight levy increase, offset by the added city value. “The value of the city has grown,” said Bohler.
Bohler said that the CIP has not changed significantly and that there is no increase in water rates (showing a slight profit), no increase in sewer rates (showing a steady profit), a modest increase in health insurance (1%), and all other insurance costs (ie, dental, vision) remaining the same. Bohler recommended employee wage increases of 4%, “with a prior year second round of ARPA funding.” He said he feels employees are deserving of the increase, but ultimately the council has to make that decision.
The most expensive item on the proposed list is $52,000 for a new police squad car. A second vehicle for a school resource officer, another $52,000, may be purchased, but reimbursed by the Wautoma Area School District. Bohler said that this would be a 3-year contract, with the school district making monthly payments to the city, if and when the agreement if executed. “Without this agreement, the vehicle will not be purchased,” added Bohler.
Another expensive item on the list of proposed projects is the annual micro sealing and crack filling of streets, at an approximate cost of $60,000. Public Works employee Aaron Spees said which streets they repair has not yet been determined; he said those decisions will be made in the spring after they see how various streets “held up through the winter.”
One of the proposed Public Works & Parks items includes the splash pad repair at Bird Creek Park, for approximately $17,000. Public Works employee Aaron Spees reported that the splash pad has not had any problems since its installation 15 years ago, but late this summer the underground controls got flooded from a break in a pipe, including the electronics that operate the splash pad. Bids were put out for repair, with B&M Technology in Coloma being the lowest versus the Canadian company that originally installed the splash pad. Spees said that B&M plans to install an above-ground control system prior to the 2023 summer season and will maintain the splash pad on a regular basis. Bohler added that the Wautoma Rotary Club has contacted him about a possible donation towards the splash pad repair.
Bohler also told the council that “if the council chooses to ‘push’ any item, I would recommend the Bird Creek Park diamond one rehabilitation for approximately $40,000.” He said that the infield needs to be dug up and leveled for better drainage.
“The CIP continues to be aggressive with total capital items anticipated to reach about $280,000 compared to the $312,000 from 2022,” reported Bohler. He added that “the city fund balance continues to remain far above requirement at over 95% of General Fund expenses, well above the recommendation of 25-50%.”
After Bohler’s presen-tation, the council approved a public hearing for the 2023 Operating Budget for the City of Wautoma for Monday, Nov. 14 at city hall at 7:30 p.m.
In his monthly report, Bohler said he has been working with Building Contractor Rick Stafford to align the process for lot development within Lake Ridge subdivision to construct two duplexes. The lots Stafford would like to build on are on N. Wilcox Court. Bohler told the council that letters have gone out to the current homeowners, inviting them to attend the Planning Commission meeting on Oct. 24.
Bohler gave an update on the joint committee working on the future of the current courthouse building. He reported that The Samuels Group, which is a commercial contractor and construction management agent company, is creating requests for proposals (RFP) for future developers.
Police Chief Paul Mott gave his monthly report, stating that the Cops at Culver’s Lights of Christmas event on Sept. 21 was very successful, bringing in over $3,000 from tips and 10% of the sales, donated by Culver’s. The funds will be used to buy gift cards to help area families in need during the Christmas holidays. He reported that they raised more money than most of the larger communities in the Fox Valley.
In his monthly report, Mayor John Nixon told the council that the Wautoma Fire District has had to increase funding from other municipalities by 5% for 2023. He also said that the Fire Department is hosting a banquet fundraiser at the WWII Memorial building in the near future. (In checking their Facebook page, the banquet is sold out).
In other business, an Operator’s License was approved for Brianna J.J. Abler (Two20 Taphouse and Grill).
The next Common Council meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 14 at city hall at 7:30 p.m.
