2.26.24 REGULAR BOARD MEETING
VILLAGE OF ORFORDVILLE
Regular Board Meeting
Monday, February 26, 2024 7:00 P.M.
Orfordville Village Hall
Main Board Room
CALL TO ORDER
President Dennis Burtness called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were President Burtness, Nick Howard, Beth Schmidt, Nikki Tuffree, Terry Gerber, and Jason Knox. Also present were Dr. Wayne Anderson, Tracy Case, Don Davies, Steve Lutzke, Bruce Polheber, John Thomson, Chief Jeremiah Burdick, DPW Director Nick Todd, and Clerk Sherri Waege. Absent was Cami Myers-Alstat.
AGENDA VERIFICATION
Clerk Waege verified that on February 23, 2024, copies of the agenda were delivered to the President and Trustees; and posted at the Library, Village Hall, and Post Office. There were no additions made to the agenda.
MINUTE APPROVAL
Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to approve the February 12, 2024 minutes. Motion carried.
CITIZENS WISHING TO BE HEARD
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Parkview Referendum. Dr Wayne Anderson, Tracy Case, and John Thomson were present on behalf of the Parkview School District. Dr Anderson explained that residents are being asked to approve $2,294,125.00 for a recurring referendum. Dr Anderson explained that the school surveyed staff and community members to determine the priorities for the district. Those priorities were used to determine the referendum amount. Dr Anderson explained that the funds will be used for additional staffing, staff increases, a guidance counselor, building maintenance, technology replacement, student programs, and benefits for para professional employees. Dr. Anderson explained that benefits were taken away from para professional employees a few years ago. Dr Anderson further added that providing benefits will help retain good employees and address the turnover rate. Dr Anderson explained that the goal of the school board is to provide all the information to the residents in regards to what the referendum is for. Tracy Case explained that the school website and the QR Code on the flyer provide detailed information on the use of the referendum dollars.
Tuffree asked if the referendum can exceed a certain dollar amount in the future. Dr. Anderson explained that the referendum amount, if approved, cannot be increased without going for an additional referendum .
John Thomson, Parkview School Board Member, asked Dr. Anderson to explain the building and technology portion of the referendum. Dr. Anderson explained that the roof at the Jr. High leaks. Dr. Anderson further explained that the roof was not addressed previously as other spending priorities were done first, currently they have $100,000.00 set aside for the roof. Dr. Anderson explained that each student has an electronic device, with leases getting ready to expire. A cost of $200,000.00 is projected for replacement which will help establish a cycle for annual replacement.
Don Davies of 9132 S. Smythe School Road was present with questions on the referendum. Davies felt that the roof is an issue as you can’t teach if you do not have a solid building to teach in. Davies felt that $100,000.00 was not enough for a roof. Dr. Anderson agreed as the roof is projected to cost over $700,000.00. Davies explained that he is concerned that recurring is forever, as he is on a fixed income.
Discussion was held on State Aid. Dr. Anderson explained that the aid is the best it has been in many years. Dr. Anderson further explained that if approved, the referendum will not adjust based on increases in state aid.
Gerber explained that he was on the school board for many years and that the state funding system needs to change. Gerber added that the Village is in the same position as the school when it comes to funding increases, meaning referendums are the only option to increase revenue.
Steve Lutzke asked how much is going to be cut if the referendum fails. Dr. Anderson explained that the school board met with staff earlier in the evening to discuss cuts. Dr. Anderson explained that the school will have another meeting for the public regarding potential cuts. Dr. Anderson explained that the goal of the school district is to be open with the residents on where the money will be spent and encouraged everyone to check the website for specific information.
Schmidt explained that she has grandkids in the district and feels as residents, we have to do what is best for our youth. Schmidt further explained that what happens with the school district reflects on growth in the community, as there is an economic value. Schmidt added that the school is an anchor for small towns and that property values could be affected if the school declines.
Davies explained that a lot of the older residents in Newark are still upset about the closing of Newark School, and also added that Footville School was also closed to consolidate the school district. Davies further explained that many residents still have a bad taste in their mouth over that. Gerber explained that he was on the school board during the closing of Newark School and explained that it was done for financial reasons.
Bruce Polheber of 407 Bretts Way was present and asked about the cost going down after the first year, if approved. Dr. Anderson explained that after the first year, the tax rate is estimated to decrease by .65 cents per thousand, and is estimated to decrease each year based on additional state aids. Dr Anderson further explained that state funding goes up if referendums get approved.
Davies asked what the school budget was for this school year. Tracy Case explained that expenses are $12.4 million, with the tax levy being for $3.8 million.
Thomson explained the current assessment ratios for the area municipalities. Currently the Town of Center and Town of Newark have higher valuations than the others. Thompson added that the mill rate will go down as other communities reassess.
President Burtness thanked Dr. Anderson, Tracy Case, and John Thomson for attending.
Amendments to the I-1 zoning Code. President Burtness explained that the Planning Commission would like to review the side and rear setbacks for the I-1 zoning, specifically for the lots in the Business Park. President Burtness explained that the larger setbacks create a hardship for the smaller lots in the Business Park. Clerk Waege provided a copy of the zoning map to show the other two I-1 zoned properties. Motion by Gerber, seconded by Schmidt to have the Planning Commission proceed with scheduling a public hearing to amend the I-1 zoning side and rear setbacks. Motion carried.
Pickle Ball Court. Howard explained that he and another person are interested in converting a tennis court to a pickle ball court. Howard explained that pickle ball is a growing sport and very popular locally. DPW Director Todd explained that he is getting prices for crack filling, sealing, striping, new nets, and the cost to reset the poles. Matt Amundson of 409 Bretts Way was present and explained that he has experience with the growth in pickle ball and installed eight courts in Middleton in 2018. Amundson suggested that Todd reach out to Midwest Seal and Coat of Dodgeville for prices. Howard added that pickle ball will be a great use for the courts that are not used very often for tennis, and will bring more people to the park. Motion by Knox, seconded by Howard to authorize DPW Director Todd to proceed with pricing for both courts. Motion carried.
Amend a Previous Motion to Purchase Two New Trucks. President Burtness explained that on June 26, 2023, the Village Board voted to purchase two new trucks, one for the Sewer Utility and one for the Water Utility. President Burtness explained that General Motors cancelled the order as it was not able to fill it in the near future. President Burtness further added that after reviewing the potential rate increase, purchasing the truck would be an additional strain in regards to the rate increase. Motion by Knox, seconded by Gerber to amend the original motion that states “Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 for the Sewer Utility at a cost of $49,871.00, and a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500(without a box) for the Water Utility at a cost of $47,481.00 and to finance the vehicles with a loan through the Wisconsin State Trust Fund. Motion carried with President Burtness abstaining” to be amended to “Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Boyce to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 for the Sewer Utility at a cost of $49,871.00.” Motion carried. The Water Utility will not be purchasing a new truck.
Full Water Rate Increase. President Burtness explained that Johnson Block has finalized the Full Rate Increase for the Public Service Commission. Clerk Waege explained that many municipalities do a Simplified Rate Increase annually, which has usually been 3%. Clerk Waege further explained that the Village has not done that which consequently put the Village behind in revenues. Clerk Waege explained that the Village authorized rate increases in 1974,1993,1996,2003, 2015, and 2023. Clerk Waege estimated that the six times that the rates were increased is approximately equal to a cumulative 23% increase overall. Clerk Waege explained that if the Village would have done a 3% simplified rate increase each year in that 30-year time period, (like many municipalities do to keep up with increasing costs) the overall increase would have been a cumulative 90% increase.
President Burtness explained that the application is requesting a 64% rate increase for water. President Burtness added that this is for the water portion of the bill only and not sewer. Clerk Waege explained that the water utility has been relying on savings to operate, which was the reason for the 8% simplified rate increase in 2023. Clerk Waege further explained that the 64% rate increase is broken down as follows: 40% is to bring the revenues in line with the expenses, 18% is for the water debt service, and 6% is for Rate of Return. Clerk Waege explained that the Village can try to negotiate the Rate of Return to get the rate lowered. Clerk Waege explained that she had discussion with Johnson Block to see how far the Rate of Return can potentially be lowered, Johnson Block does not believe that the PSC will approve anything less than 5%, each percentage point of the Rate of Return is approximately $20,000.00 of revenue for the utility. Clerk Waege further explained that the goal of the PSC when considering a rate increase is to make sure that the municipality can cover increasing expenses, pay the debt service, and set aside funds for future repairs.
DPW Director Todd explained that the rate increase is also being driven by being required to paint the inside of the water tower at a cost of $326,000.00. Clerk Waege explained that in addition to the $326,000.00, the Village requested an extra $110,000.00 for additional items. DPW Director Todd explained that the additional items were $5,000.00 for new safety harnesses, $10,000.00 for electrical upgrades, $5,000.00 for the sump pump and installation at the tower, and $90,000.00 for a vac trailer. DPW Director Todd explained that he, President Burtness, and Clerk Waege met to see how the additional $110,000.00 could be reduced. DPW Director Todd explained that they have to replace the safety harnesses and the electrical, the sump pump work can be done in house, and the vac trailer can be trimmed to $39,000.00 which could reduce the $110,000.00 by $56,000.00. DPW Todd explained that he does not have solid pricing for the items but hopes to get the rest of it this week. Clerk Waege explained that the full rate increase process takes up to six months. Clerk Waege further explained that the painting project has been awarded and is supposed to start this summer, meaning interim financing may have to be utilized until the rate increase is approved and in effect. Motion by Tuffree, seconded by Gerber to table to a Special Meeting on Tuesday, March 6th at 6:00 p.m. so the numbers can be finalized so the application can be finished and submitted to the PSC. Motion carried.
Social Media Policy. No discussion held. No action taken.
TREASURER REPORT
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Tuffree to approve the Treasurer Report for January. Motion carried.
VOUCHERS
Motion by Gerber, seconded by Howard to approve the vouchers with a check range of 36736-36766. Motion carried.
VILLAGE PRESIDENTS UPDATE
President Burtness explained the following:
He requested Clerk Waege to email information to the residents regarding the upcoming water tower painting project and have an additional piece of information he would like to mention. The DNR requires the project, the village has completed all ongoing maintenance since the tower was built. This includes an inspection done every 5 years. While there has been some spot painting done on the interior as needed, this will be the 1st time the entire interior will be done. This project is just the next step in the tower’s maintenance.
The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill authored by a bipartisan coalition of local legislators to designate Highway 11 between Orfordville and Footville as the Corporal Benjamin H. Neal Memorial Highway. After graduating from Parkview High School in 2009, Corporal Benjamin Neal joined the U.S. Army and was on his second deployment when he was killed in action in Afghanistan's Kandahar Province on April 25, 2012. Thank you to Post Commander Kurt Stuvengen, the members of the Wells-Davis-Young-Neal American Legion Post 209 in Orfordville, Bill Fitters and the American Legion Riders of District 1 for their efforts. All that remains is for Governor Evers to sign it into law.
The Bank of Brodhead is open and back to their regular hours in their newly remodeled facility!
Congratulations to Sam Schwengels and Wes Egan! Wes placed 5th and Sam placed 6th at the State Wrestling Tournament! Wes will be back to fight another year, for Sam “all I can say is thank you for giving all you had the past four years!!”
Parkview School District will host Child Development Day on March 1st (8:30-10:30 am) or March 5th (3:30-5:00pm). Reserve your spot now by calling 608-879-2956. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for your Little Viking to shine and grow!
He attended the school board meeting last Monday. The room was packed. A number of residents, staff, and students spoke and were respectful regardless of their viewpoint. This helps in accomplishing what needs to be done.
ADJOURN
Motion by Howard, seconded by Knox to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Motion carried.
Submitted by,
Dennis Burtness
Village President
Sherri Waege
Village Clerk