VILLAGE BOARD MEETING BUDGET HEARING

VILLAGE BOARD MEETING BUDGET HEARING MINUTES November 25, 2024 at 6:00 PM Kronenwetter Municipal Center - 1582 Kronenwetter Drive Board Room (Lower Level) 1. CALL BUDGET HEARING MEETING TO ORDER A. Pledge of Allegiance B. Roll Call PRESENT Trustee Alex Vedvik Trustee Chris Eiden Trustee Kelly Coyle Trustee Aaron Myszka Trustee Ken Charneski Village President Chris Voll 2. BUDGET HEARING C. 2025 Budget Presentation; Budget Overview Brian and Ariana from Ehlers are on the phone to present and answer questions on the budget. Brian presents the budget and the overview of the purpose of a municipal budget. Brian Discussed how the Levy process works and that the mill rate for Kronenwetter this year is $3.86 per $1,000 tax rate. With the increase for Village portion of the tax bill set to be $35.09 or approximately 4.77%. Brian then discusses fund balances and where the Village stands. The Village has a policy that requires the Village to have a 15% undesignated fund balance set aside for unexpected costs/emergencies. Brian Discusses that many municipalities are going to keeping a higher undesignated fund balance, as it increases Village credit worthiness and that Lisa, and Brian were discussing this while putting together the budget to consider for future years. D. Public Comment and/or Questions Bernie Kramer stated that expenditures increased by 18%, he is asking how long we can sustain the increases? Brian Responded, turning it back onto village departments weather it is sustainable or not. He did state that after Act 12 Passed there is now more state funds available to help municipalities via shared tax revenues which can go up from year to year. He did state that many municipalities are struggling and having to go to turn to 100% debt funding for large capital projects. Bernie Kramer asked how do we pay for the debt service fund? Brian responded with stating that levy helps with funds for these payments. Bernie states that he is concerned that there are no alarms are going off on the expenditure increase. Ken Charneski asked if we have $20,000 a year additional for the Village's portion of the debt to pay? he also asked how we can get by on $110,000 levied? Brian Discusses the Debt service payments and how they are distributed across the funds and TIDS. Alex Vedvik speaks on how the Village should have double levied to balance out these payments. Brian states that Ehlers was not involved in the decisions the Village made. Charneski asked if we were to have an emergency where we needed $250,000 would it be readily available? Brian stated no, not in cash in that situation the Village would most likely have to borrow to cover the costs. Charneski states that the budget presentation is deceptive as it shows  that the Village has over one million, but those funds are already tied up. Brian recommended that the Village discuss this fund balance with the auditors. Charneski asks in regard to the general property taxes, and what was levied. He is asking where the extra $200,000 came from? Brian states that the total levy need was the 2.2 million to meet levy needs. It's not all new construction revenue that contributes to the levy need. Aaron Myszka state that we should levy for the $200,000 and that the village should start being active instead of reactive when it comes to budget. He also stated that the Board should consider Alex's amendment proposal for the budget changes. Guy Fredel asked about TID 1 in regard to balances he believes that should be portrayed as negative funds. Brian states that the expenditures outweigh the revenues and that TID 1 does indeed owe that back to the Village. Guy also asks about project costs from the 2023 audit. Dave Baker asks about the projection of the unassigned balance for next year (2025). Dave also asked if the Village was levy limited last year. Brian states that we were not levy limited last year (2023). that an additional could have been $553,628. The additional capacity this year could have been $1.4 million. 3. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING 4. CALL MEETING TO ORDER E. Roll Call PRESENT Trustee Alex Vedvik Trustee Chris Eiden Trustee Kelly Coyle Trustee Aaron Myszka Trustee Ken Charneski Village President Chris Voll 5. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Please be advised per State Statute Section 19.84(2), information will be received from the public. It is the policy of this Village that Public Comment will take no longer than 15 minutes with a three-minute time period, per person, with time extension per the Chief Presiding Officer’s discretion. Be further advised that there may be limited discussion on the information received, however, no action will be taken under public comments. Patty Falkowski 2153 Peach Rd. Patty discusses how she is not happy about the openings at the Village and how the Board needs to be doing more to fill these positions. If they are to rely on the employees left to do the task of the vacant positions, she believes they should be compensated for that. She also stated that she is very upset how appointing a new trustee went, how there were no questions asked after each candidate. After each one talked there was a quick motion with no discussion. She stated that the Village elected a woman, and a woman should have gone back into that spot. Bernie Kramer 2150 E State HWY 153. He is discussing the budget and general operations. He discussed overages with the first responder and fire departments. He doesn't believe that the village is undermanned for first responders. He also states that most of the township is wood and brush. He stated that there are not roads to reach all of the village, and that the area serviced is less that what people think. Guy Fredel 2240 Ruby Dr. Discussed the map from the DNR in reference to flood plain. He is asking the Village to revisit an application that he believes was marked wrong. He also discusses the 2023 audited financial statements in reference to TID 1. He is against the "sand pits" and asked the village they do not approve. 7. SPECIAL ORDERS F. Appointment and Oath for Appointed Trustee Craig Mortensen Craig Mortensen takes the oath to become Village Board Trustee. 8. REPORTS FROM STAFF AND VENDORS  G. Community Development Director Report Pete Wegner-Community Development Director states he would take any questions. Ken Charneski asks Pete about a culvert encroachment email he received and asked Pete to check it out. Pete explains that the culvert permit was reviewed and approved by the DNR. 9. NEW BUSINESS H. Resolution No.: 2024-019; A Resolution to Adopt the 2025 Budgets for the Village of Kronenwetter and Authorize the Levy of Taxes Thereof Alex discusses that the budget needs to be amended to better benefit the Village as a whole. Alex states he is a no on the budget as written. Ken is not in favor of borrowing and stretching out debt. He also discusses cutting the police budget to mimic 2024's budget spending. Kelly states that they are in a position where they have to approve the budget as is and then make budget amendments through the year in order to get the statement of taxes to the county in time for the tax bills to get out. Motion by Coyle/Voll to approve Resolution 2024-019. Motion failed 3:4 Roll Call (Yea: Voll, Coyle, Mortenson; NAY: Vedvik, Eiden, Charneski, Myszka). Extensive discussion by the Board as to the disappointment of the Board in the manner in which the budget was presented, the unexplained number of discrepancies, and the insufficient answers to questions that had been asked through the budgeting process. The Board also discussed the lateness of the presentation of the budget that resulted in the inability to adequately evaluate the budget. Motion by Charneski/Vedvik to reconsider the previous motion due to the fact of time constraints of tax bill creation and distribution, it was stated that future amendments would need to be made. Motion Carried 7:0 by Roll Call. Motion by Coyle/ Mortensen to approve Resolution 2024-019 as presented. Motion carried 7:0 by Roll Call. I. Approval of the 2025 Water and Sewer Budgets Alex Vedvik discusses the Water and sewer budget; he discusses that moving forward the committee is looking at a 3% increase per year for sewer costs to cover raising costs of operations. Motion by Myszka/ Eiden to approve 2025 water and sewer budget as presented. Motion carried 7:0 by Roll Call. J. Fee Schedule Update for Dog Licensing Motion by Myszka/ Coyle to approve the fee schedule as presented with immediate effect. Motion carried 7:0 by Roll Call. K. Renewal of Contract for Service - League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance Company 2025 Proposal L. Eau Claire River LLC Rezone Request The board discusses that they do not approve of this as it violates the increment stipulation of building in a TID. They do not feel that Eau Claire River LLC plan meets the requirements for the TID as well as the Village's comprehensive plan. Tom with REI makes comments in regard to these concerns. He also discusses the Kowalski interchange and how it's not realistic, the property in question is in flood plain and Tom has had many people interested in the property but walked away when they learned the complications the flood plain brings. He stated that he would need to bring 65-75 thousand cubic feet of material to build up the pads for the multifamily properties that would surround the pond that is excavated. Tom states it does jive with the Village's comprehensive plan. Additional discussion about the Kowalski Rd interchange and how it effects the development plan. The Board states their concerns in regard to roads, residents, etc. Motion by Coyle/Vedvik to approve the zoning change from B2 to industrial as presented. Motion Failed 1:5:1 abstention (Craig Mortensen). M. Acceptance of Village Clerk Resignation Village Board acknowledges the Village Clerk's Resignation N. Recommendations by Kowalski Interchange Ad Hoc Committee Charneski discusses the recommendations from the Kowalski interchange committee on ramp placement. Village Board recommends staff attends MPO meetings. O. Motion by Coyle/ Myszka to approve the United health Care plan for the Police Department. Motion carried 7:0 by Roll Call.  P. Commitee Appointment of Craig Mortenson to Utility and Ambulance committees Motion by Vedvik/ Coyle to appoint Craig Mortensen to Utility and Ambulance committee as a trustee. Motion carried 7:0 by Voice vote. Q. October 29, 2024, Village Board Meeting Minutes Motion by Coyle/Voll to approve Minutes as presented. Motion carried 7:0 by voice vote. R. October 14, 2024, Village Board Meeting Minutes Charneski asks for 5F to have the word "Possible" Infront of referendum. Motion by Voll/Charneski to approve Minutes as amended. Motion carried 7:0 by voice vote. S. October 28, 2024, Village Board Meeting Minutes T. November 04, 2024, Village Board Meeting Minutes Charneski asks for item number two "budget amendment 10" to be stated its for legal expenses Coyle states he agrees. Motion by Vedvik/Coyle to approve Minutes as amended. Motion carried 7:0 by voice vote. U. November 11, 2024, Village Board Meeting Minutes Motion by Vedvik/Voll to approve Minutes as presented. Motion carried 7:0 by voice vote. V. Appointment of Interim Village Clerk-Jennifer Poyer Motion by Coyle/ Vedvik to appoint Jennifer Poyer as Interim Village Clerk. Motion Carried 6:0 by voice vote. 10. PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES FROM COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES W. October 23, 2024 Ambulance Subcommittee Meeting Minutes Village Board Acknowledges meeting minutes. X. November 14, 2024 Kowalski Road Interchange Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes Village Board Acknowledges meeting minutes. Y. Administrative Policy Committee Minutes October 17, 2024 Village Board Acknowledges meeting minutes. 11. CLOSED SESSION Consideration of motion to convene into closed session pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.85 (1)( c ) for consideration of employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility – to wit General office Union contract, Public Works Union Contract, And Water Utility Union Contract. Motion by Eiden/Vedvik to convene into closed session. Motion carried 7:0 by Roll call 12. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION Consideration of motion to reconvene into open session. Village Board Reconvened. 13. ACTION AFTER CLOSED SESSION Motion by Voll/Eiden to approve the Union contract with 3% raise beginning January 1. Motion carried 6:1 ostension(Kelly Coyle). 14. CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA 15. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Voll/Eiden to Adjourn. Motion carried 7:0 by voice vote. NOTE: Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request service, contact the clerk’s office, 1582 Kronenwetter Drivem WI 54455 (715)-692-1728 Posted: 11/22/2024 Kronenwetter Municipal Center and Faxed: WAOW, WSAU, City Pages, Mosinee Times | Emailed: Wausau Daily Herald, WSAW, WAOW, Mosinee Times, Wausau Pilot and Review, City Pages Minutes Created By: Sarah Fisher, Approved on: March 24, 2025