Budget Hearing
Regular MeetingSister Bay, WI · November 17, 2025
Minutes
1 BUDGET HEARING MINUTES
2 Monday, November 17, 2025
3 (Approved)
4
5 1. Call to Order & Roll Call
6 President Bell called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM on Monday, November 17, 2025. (Meeting start
7 delayed due to zoom technical difficulties).
8
9 Present: President Nate Bell and trustees Denise Bhirdo, Louise Howson, Chad Kodanko, Kurt Harff,
10 Brigid White. Patrice Champeau was excused.
11
12 Staff: Vlad Gannik, Megan Barnes, Parks, Erik Linczmaier, Dave Lienau and Village Clerk Julie Thyssen.
13
14 Others: Ken Church, Laurel Harff, Mary Smythe, Bill Baar
15
16 2. Approve Agenda
17 Motion by Howson, seconded by Harff, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried - all ayes.
18
19 4. Comments, Correspondence and Concerns from the Public
20 Ken Church asked for clarification regarding Administrator Schmelzer’s severance package. Mary
21 Smyth submitted email with concerns about too many executive sessions being held. Trustee Bhirdo
22 noted she should not have been required to exit a previous meeting’s executive session according to
23 state statute 19.89.
24
25 5. Public Hearing: 2026 Budget
26 Ruechel presented the 2026 budget, explaining that the proposed budget would reduce the mill rate
27 from $5.23 to $4.85, a decrease of approximately 37 cents. He outlined that the apportioned levy of
28 $3,418,243 is comprised of the general fund ($2,000,000+), capital project levy ($620,000), and debt
29 service levy ($790,000). The total levy amount including tax increment is $4,011,386.51.
30
31 During public comment, concerns were raised regarding a significant increase in "unworked wages"
32 from approximately $30,000 to $279,000. Bhirdo provided a breakdown of the general government
33 expenses increase, confirming that unworked wages represented the largest portion of the increase.
34
35 6. Discussion & Action
36 a. Resolution 2025-028 Adopting the 2026 Budget
37 Bell acknowledged the extensive work by the Finance Committee, expressing confidence that
38 previous challenges had been resolved due to efforts by Vlad and Adam.
39
40 Motion by Howson, seconded by White, to adopt the 2026 budget. Motion carried – all ayes.
41
42 7. Adjourn
43 Motion by Howson, seconded by Kodanko, to adjourn at 6:45. Motion carried – all ayes.
44
45 Meeting minutes by Julie Thyssen, Village Clerk
Agenda
VILLAGE BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2025 – 5:30 PM
Sister Bay Liberty Grove Fire Station – 2258 Mill Road
To access the meeting electronically, click:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4782465738?pwd=UHcxYkxUOHFHTHFoY1ljcWxZb3BUdz09
Meeting ID: 478 246 5738 Password: 329703
To connect by phone: 1-301-715-8592 - Meeting ID 478 246 5738#
Deviations from the agenda order shown may occur
For additional meeting information visit: www.sisterbaywi.gov, click ‘Agendas and Minutes’
AGENDA
1. Call to Order (Zoom Participants Mute Devices)
2. Roll Call
3. Approve Agenda
4. Comments, Correspondence and Concerns from the Public (Public comment limited to 3 non-transferable
minutes per person)
5. Public Hearing: 2026 Budget
6. Discussion & Action
a) Resolution 2025-028 Adopting the 2026 Budget
7. Adjourn
Public Notice
Questions regarding the nature of the Agenda items or more detail on the items listed can be directed to Julie Schmelzer, Village
Administrator, at julie.schmelzer@sisterbaywi.gov. It is possible that members of and possibly a quorum of members of other
governmental bodies may attend the meeting to gather information; no action will be taken by any governmental body other than
the body specifically referred to above. Upon reasonable notice, a good faith effort will be made to accommodate the needs of
disabled individuals through sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aid or accommodation at no cost to the individual. Due to
the difficulty in finding interpreters, requests should be made as far in advance as possible, preferably a minimum of 48 hours. For
additional information or to request this service, contact the Sister Bay Village Administration Office at 854-4118; (FAX) 854-9637;
or by writing to the Village Administration Building, 2383 Maple Drive, PO Box 769, Sister Bay, WI 54234. Copies of reports and other
supporting documentation are available for review online and at the Village Administration Building during operating hours (8 a.m.
to 4 p.m. Mondays – Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays).
The Village of Sister Bay is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Posted Date/Signature _______________________
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