Village Board

Village of Kohler Village Board Meeting November 17, 2025 Chairperson Thomas Schnettler called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call was taken: Tom Schnettler, John Ewert, Mike Wandschneider, Brett Edgerle, Kelly Kasten, Tracy Lyons and Laurie Lindow were present. Village Attorney Mike Bauer was present. Staff members present: Erin Coppersmith, Chad Gross, Mike Kitzerow, Jodie Kuklinski, Gary Lindow, Valerie Wandschneider and Cindi Gamb. Items of Concern Regarding the Agenda, Including Public Comment – Alex Holland, 638 Pine Tree Road, requested the Board not proceed with the Ordinance violation for a property nuisance, item 3b. Steven and Leisl Schneider, 634 Pine Tree Road, and Mike and Michelle Peters, 651 School Street, expressed their concerns about the property at 638 Pine Tree Road. Approve Meeting Minutes from October 20, 2025 – Motion by Mike Wandschneider, second by John Ewert to approve the meeting minutes from October 20, 2025. Motion carried. Business 1) Public Hearing on Adoption of the 2026 General Fund, Capital Outlay and Special Fund Budgets – Tom Schnettler opened the public hearing at 6:10 p.m. for any comments or questions from the public regarding the 2026 budgets. The public hearing will remain open until agenda item seven is considered to adopt the 2026 budget by Ordinance. 2) The Property Committee Recommends the Village Board Take Action on the Following: a) Presentation and Approval of Ehlers Public Finance Advisors 2025 Sewer Rate Study – Brian Roemer from Ehlers Public Finance Advisors presented their sewer rate study. Brian suggested doing a pass thru rate adjustment when the City of Sheboygan increases the rates to the Village and to consider a study of fixed and volume charges. Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Mike Wandschneider to accept and approve the Ehlers Public Finance Advisors 2025 sewer rate study. Motion carried. b) Approve 2026 Water and Sewer Utility Budgets – Motion by Mike Wandschneider, second by Kelly Kasten to approve the 2026 water and sewer utility budgets. Motion carried. 3) The Finance Committee Recommends the Village Board Take Action on the Following:  a) October Revenue and Expense Reports, Bank Reconciliation and Journal Entries – Motion by John Ewert, second by Mike Wandschneider to approve the October revenue and expense reports, bank reconciliation and journal entries. Motion carried. b) Pursue Ordinance Violation in Circuit Court for Property Nuisance at 638 Pine Tree Road, Kohler – Motion by John Ewert, second by Tracy Lyons to proceed with an Ordinance violation in Circuit Court for a property nuisance at 638 Pine Tree Road, Kohler. Motion carried, the vote was four aye and three nay. c) Deny Request from Angela Shinners, 210 Grafton Court, for an Exception to Ordinance 11.22.010-Prohibited Storage – Motion by John Ewert, second by Laurie Lindow to deny the request from Angela Shinners, 210 Grafton Court, for an exception to Ordinance 11.22.010-Prohibited Storage. Motion carried. d) Ordinance No. 2025-3, An Ordinance Repealing and Recreating Chapter 5.20 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Kohler, Sheboygan County, Regarding Transient Merchants – Motion by John Ewert, second by Laurie Lindow to approve Ordinance No. 2025-3, An Ordinance Repealing and Recreating Chapter 5.20 of the Municipal Code of the Village of Kohler, Sheboygan County, Regarding Transient Merchants. A roll call vote was taken: John Ewert – aye, Mike Wandschneider – aye, Brett Edgerle – aye, Kelly Kasten – aye, Tracy Lyons – aye, Laurie Lindow – aye, Tom Schnettler – aye. Motion carried. 4) Budget Update – the board reviewed the changes that were made to the budget since the October meeting: Revenues • State Grant DNR added $29,000 – stormwater grant • Sheboygan County Sales Tax $98,737 moved from Capital Outlay • Other Licenses & Permits increased to $25,000 • Swimming Pool increased to $32,000 • Tennis decreased to $3,000 • Baseball increased to $8,000 • Summer Programs increased to $25,000 • Youth Center increased to $13,000 • Seniors decreased to $8,000 • Insurance Dividends increased to $6,500 Expenses • Clerk/Treas o Health/Life Dental decreased to $30,000  o Clerk/Treas-HSA Plan decreased to $5,000 • Police Dept o Admin Wages decreased to $219,962 o Admin Assist Wage decreased to $68,514 o Health/Life/Dental increased to $163,000 o HSA Plan decreased to $9,500 • Street Dept o Health/Life/Dental decreased to $96,000 o HSA Plan increased to $7,500 • Library-Health/Life/Dental added $35,800 • Youth Center o Wages decreased to $15,000 o FICA increased to $2,295 o Food Purchases decreased to $9,000 • Recreation o Wages decreased to $37,469 o FICA decreased to $2,866 o Retirement increased to $2,800 o Tennis decreased to $3,500 o Baseball decreased to $5,000 o Summer programs increased to $20,000 o Seniors decreased to $8,000 • Swimming Pool o Wages decreased to $48,000 o FICA increased to $3,700 • Capital Outlay o Sheboygan County sales tax moved to General Fund o Library added $8,000 5) Tom Schnettler announced the Village Board was going into Closed Session Pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85(1)(c) to Consider Employment, Promotion, Compensation or Performance Evaluation Data of any Public Employee over which the Governmental Body has Jurisdiction or Exercise Responsibility to Discuss Employee Wages and Benefits – Motion by Mike Wandschneider, second by Kelly Kasten to go into closed session. A roll call vote was taken: Mike Wandschneider – aye, Brett Edgerle – aye, Kelly Kasten – aye, Tracy Lyons – aye, Laurie Lindow – aye, John Ewert – aye, Tom Schnettler – aye. Motion carried. 6) The Village Board may Reconvene into Open Session and may take Action on Items Considered in Closed Session – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Tracy Lyons to return to open session. Motion carried. 7) Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-4, 2026 Budget Adoption and Tax Levy Ordinance – Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Brett Edgerle to close the public hearing at 8:20 p.m. Motion carried.  Motion by Tom Schnettler, second by Mike Wandschneider to approve Ordinance No. 2025-4, 2026 Budget Adoption and Tax Levy Ordinance. A roll call vote was taken: Brett Edgerle – aye, Kelly Kasten – aye, Tracy Lyons – aye, Laurie Lindow – aye, John Ewert – aye, Mike Wandschneider – aye, Tom Schnettler – aye. Motion carried. Correspondence Minutes from Finance Committee, Property Committee, Planning Commission, Library Board October Police Department Call Summary October Claims Lists Email from Steve Steinhardt regarding Orange Cross Ambulance Service Contract Adjournment Motion by Mike Wandschneider, second by John Ewert to adjourn the meeting at 8:25 p.m. Motion carried. __________________________ Cindi Gamb, Clerk/Treasurer Meeting minutes approved _____________