[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6348318,"mediaKeyId","2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24","parentId",2242762,"title","Cross Plains committee orders financial analysis of EMS options amid cost and governance concerns","audioSeconds",1090,"startMs",1095000,"endMs",4714,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24&start=1095&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24/thumbnail_1095000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348318/Wisconsin/Cross-Plains-committee-orders-financial-analysis-of-EMS-options-amid-cost-and-governance-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348318-ff2e633ab0b9054d5d20d41fc899b0d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776323834&Signature=R-gigCzpnCtEpk2IePP5XbyNND7RnUj-h0LtamYmBkI6kFK2ZMEOupHpzLU4Qo58AiHnBxJT26Y-0JysV5xedlvxiNIhd2RyXmy~sWUMRn7MyyI3YkDOPrbH~B7dEjbIcFUbxsgxt1wfR9m4ZMbEdhh4tRK2q1EeXDxRN9keO8ZSI-ct-R1EYyIay55CxPCGZ~YYzROrmci1xVtn8lhPf4BA4fyPrYA5JrLpLC7DCHMMvh-fqL9vnsZgG8gy-kYDoqm~dxkAEiiKX8K-2Ni6HwqfK8My-IgezRA2N1h7rvPycPNbj4S6mj7qqcHi7~2ElvLoFpGSltdPyuy5dgaSCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Cross Plains, WI","date","2025-02-06T18:21:16Z","article","The Village of Cross Plains Finance Advisory and Enhancement Committee asked staff to prepare a detailed financial analysis of emergency medical services options, including a worst‑case scenario of operating independently, after an extended discussion about district governance, recent financial irregularities and rising costs.

Committee members spent most of the Feb. 5 meeting examining how the village, which currently pays roughly 60% of the EMS district costs, could respond if other member municipalities reduce participation. The committee did not take a final vote but directed staff to return with spreadsheet analyses and scenario modeling by the spring meeting.

Why it matters: Cross Plains is one of four jurisdictions in the EMS district but contributes a disproportionate share of costs under the population‑based allocation method used by the district. Committee members and staff said the village’s share has driven strain on the local budget and left the village with limited control over budget decisions made at the district level.

Background and discussion: Committee members recounted two catalysts for re‑examining the district arrangement. First, the village experienced a steep budget increase in the district budget two years ago (discussed by committee members as an 89% jump in one year). Second, a former EMS chief was prosecuted after municipal review found payroll and other irregularities; insurance recovered most of the money the committee said was stolen. That internal case and the district’s budget trajectory prompted a village proposal — previously offered to the district membership — to move purchasing, payroll and budgeting responsibilities for EMS under village administration while leaving operational and policy powers with the district board. Only one partner municipality accepted that offer at the time, committee members said.

Committee members discussed four scenarios to be modeled in the requested analysis:
- A: Cross Plains operates EMS independently and provides service for all current residents (worst‑case, village‑only revenue).
- B: Cross Plains operates EMS and contracts to provide service to one or more neighboring towns (shared revenue model).
- C: Current district structure remains but Cross Plains takes administrative control of purchasing/payroll/budgeting while the district retains policy authority (the earlier proposed hybrid).
- D: All four jurisdictions remain together and keep current governance (status quo with operational changes).

Members emphasized analyses should show dollar impacts, not just percentages, and should model the revenue side (current ambulance‑billing revenue cited at about $240,000 annually) and the effect if one or more municipalities withdraw. Committee members also requested line‑by‑line review of day‑to‑day operating costs (payroll, benefits, workers’ compensation, supplies, LTE pay and overtime), and a projection of when call volumes would require a second ambulance. The committee asked that the analysis be ready for review by the regular spring meeting; one member volunteered to compile a spreadsheet and another to analyze possible western partners (District 1, Black Earth, Mazomanie/“Mazel” references).

Operational context and constraints: The committee cited contractual timing constraints: the current district contract language (discussed as a five‑year agreement that lapsed in 2022) would, under the committee’s interpretation, require notice by Dec. 1 two years before the end of the next five‑year term if a jurisdiction intends to withdraw. For planning purposes the committee treated 2027 as the expiration of a hypothetical renewed five‑year contract and identified December 2025 as a practical deadline to notify partners if the village chooses to pursue independence.

Concerns and risk: Committee members identified several risks to an independent or village‑operated EMS service: higher per‑unit costs if other jurisdictions leave; potential short‑term budget increases to absorb payroll and benefits; and the administrative burden of adding payroll and other functions to village staff. Members also described potential advantages: tighter financial controls (they argued payroll and purchasing under village oversight would have reduced past embezzlement risk), greater ability to manage overtime and staffing policies, and opportunities to pursue state and county consolidation grants if Cross Plains pursues regional mergers with neighboring jurisdictions.

Next steps: The committee directed staff and volunteers to produce a scenario analysis showing dollar impacts for the village under the models above; to identify grant programs that might subsidize consolidation or expansion; and to inspect billing and operational numbers (call volumes, ambulance mileage revenue, LTE costs and benefits) needed to estimate staffing thresholds. Members agreed to share draft materials before the next full meeting and to report back publicly to the district and to neighboring municipalities as part of a transparent process.

Ending: The committee left the item open for further study and scheduled staff follow‑up; no formal change to district governance was adopted at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","02.05.2025 Finance Advisory & Enhancement Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Village of Cross Plains Finance Advisory and Enhancement Committee asked staff to prepare a detailed financial analysis of emergency medical services options, including a worst‑case scenario of operating independently, after an extended discussion about district governance, recent financial irregularities and rising costs.","taxTitle","Village of Cross Plains, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",74013,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348307,"Committee reviews phone audit; identifies three unknown lines and library billing reductions",657,640000,1297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24&start=640&end=1297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24/thumbnail_640000.jpg","/articles/6348307/Wisconsin/Committee-reviews-phone-audit-identifies-three-unknown-lines-and-library-billing-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348307-63a8c2460a98c114c1b9def3091d0a0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776323834&Signature=E-pHHUOd5aH65E~3we7kcOyZyXIAbEn8DCazyQKWfA0M6BsAD1uB-RLPt2z7U73rpe74d8lFV8DEE2lvqIRQlYH35zohdpxOJoQExa5I5Zf7R9ZO~hfW40WNdy2FnSOynN7Bwt1gBz6gxJwRwrtNwX8NKOXx7odxUrcquC43kTMA9WZv9aIIry-Dx2HjLmBIC9QgmJDzVUHqqgqLpYxMW8RpO-dzvp4LrPAIgrMLprpxGlqzB5zTwHU~Ecdm9n6sljelssjdgYrXgSDrva2xEBktXdofbetQf7u~ZDGx1V3EjFvmvds8FFdtoEf9LklHaeEKwEClz9LKKpFNXJZUrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Village staff presented the results of a phone audit and the Finance Advisory and Enhancement Committee agreed to ask the phone vendor to trace three unknown Village Hall numbers so the village can cancel any unused lines.

Key findings: Staff verified that primary hard lines for Public Works and sewer/SCADA functions are required for alarm and control communications. The police lines use FirstNet but have separate billing. The pool currently uses a cellular hotspot in summer months and should be disconnected in August; the after‑school/full‑day camp requires year‑round service. The library consolidated some phone/fax/printer functions, and staff reported the library’s monthly bill has been reduced by roughly $114 per month in the recent billing cycle after cancelling an old line and merging fax into the copier.

Unknown numbers and next steps: Audit work identified three phone numbers tied to the Village Hall account that staff could not identify (+1 564‑157‑07 and two other rollover numbers referenced in the audit). Staff recommended submitting a technician support request for a tag‑and‑locate to determine physical endpoints; the committee agreed. If any of the traced lines are unused, the village will cancel them to save recurring costs.

Why it matters: The audit is part of routine fiscal stewardship to ensure the village is not paying for unused lines or unnecessary services. Committee members noted the importance of keeping required landline/backups for critical infrastructure (SCADA/alarm lines and shop power checks) while eliminating redundant lines.

Ending: Staff will file a support request with the phone vendor to trace the three unknown Village Hall numbers, confirm the pool hotspot schedule and confirm library billing changes; no formal committee action was required beyond the direction to proceed with the trace.","A staff phone audit found most village lines in use, flagged three lines at Village Hall requiring a technician trace, and reported a library phone consolidation that reduced recurring monthly costs. The committee recommended a support request to trace unknown numbers and to cancel lines if not needed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348312,"Cross Plains committee reviews purchases, approves minutes; discusses $300,000 TIF payoff and $16,500 parking‑lot share",475,244000,719000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24&start=244&end=719","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242762-6a53ae0ef971c52c29722ab10ffb7f24/thumbnail_244000.jpg","/articles/6348312/Wisconsin/Cross-Plains-committee-reviews-purchases-approves-minutes-discusses-300000-TIF-payoff-and-16500-parkinglot-share","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348312-5a6b9be1d790081fbd44457eed441af4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776323834&Signature=DJUEhLB~FDfPKu8sRZfsdlCeBmtRmCOM3Rz3QG43zAAD-yVGTXjaKy7wNv5Gtdr9YrXNm5LfVHOjUW7WKFK8Db3ZcLRdRadtydWbAnBBTjrlVXbxcHOmraYtRiFgtHibp~a34mALsB-yLw-uI6uSuuYSZ~oFNZSJS7IqyzFQJOmPrT26LRDhvYrfaBoYS3LPvtEN7KMCFMIAuQPC~eLRD4I1Bcp13rIKZhKXGFihs3UV4s~JrepJ9T7WuII1JKHoDmd6F7qsUDmoQbgTR6fav8ENzj7orecV~gtgeqqVqpdSdhYt50SBK0ULRnCR9qA3vcSX7A2qJjdz7TMnFebKLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Cross Plains Finance Advisory and Enhancement Committee accepted minutes from its Jan. 8 meeting, reviewed purchases and bid‑tabulation forms and discussed recent municipal payments including a one‑time $16,500 contribution toward a public parking lot and a $300,000 early payment on a tax‑increment financing (TIF) agreement for Milestone Senior Living.

In a short business vote the committee moved and seconded approval of the Jan. 8 minutes; the motion carried by voice vote. The meeting adjournment later in the agenda was similarly moved, seconded and approved.

Why it matters: The payments discussed affect the village’s near‑term cash flow and reserve planning. Committee members said the early TIF payoff was structured to limit future higher interest costs on the TIF and to enable earlier closure of the TIF district, and the parking‑lot payment represented the village’s agreed share to convert a private lot into public parking under a 10‑year agreement.

Key items discussed and clarifications:
- Billing error: Committee members reported that a large water use line in recent bills, originally charged to sewer, has been identified as cooling water for a pump and will be undone; there will be no sewer charge for that water once corrected.
- Parking lot payment: The village paid $16,500 as its one‑time half share for improving a parking lot west of a main building on Water Street (the invoice represented the village’s portion). The agreement is for 10 years; if the private owner reclaims the lot within 10 years the owner will repay the village a prorated share.
- TIF early payoff: The village paid $300,000 on Jan. 2 toward the Milestone Senior Living TIF balance; committee discussion said the village agreed with Milestone to pay early to avoid a scheduled interest rate increase from approximately 4.5% to 7% and to close the pay‑as‑you‑go TIF sooner. Committee members discussed a second payment tentatively planned for July to finish the payoff; the exact balance remaining was described as “not specified” in the discussion and will be confirmed from the agreement.
- Vehicle procurement: Committee members confirmed a previously purchased Ram truck was procured using a state contract price and that an internal purchase‑form had been completed for the record.

Votes at a glance:
- Approval of Jan. 8, 2025 Finance Advisory and Enhancement Committee minutes — motion moved, seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Motion to adjourn — moved, seconded; outcome: approved (voice vote).

Ending: Committee members had no further action on purchases; staff and members will follow up to confirm the remaining TIF payoff amount and to monitor any required repayments or prorations related to the parking lot agreement.","Committee approved Jan. 8 minutes, reviewed purchases and bid‑tabulation forms, and discussed a $16,500 one‑time payment for a public parking lot and a $300,000 early TIF payoff for Milestone Senior Living. The committee was told a billing error had been corrected that removed erroneous sewer charges linked to well cooling water.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cross Plains committee orders financial analysis of EMS options amid cost and governance concerns

Committee reviews phone audit; identifies three unknown lines and library billing reductions

Cross Plains committee reviews purchases, approves minutes; discusses $300,000 TIF payoff and $16,500 parking‑lot share