[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-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",[32,73,85],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},"mediaId",6329533,"mediaKeyId","2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7","parentId",2315971,"title","Resident submits ethics complaint alleging mayor campaigned at city meeting; council takes no action","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1414000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7&start=1414&end=1414","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7/thumbnail_1414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329533/Portage-City/Columbia-County/Wisconsin/Resident-submits-ethics-complaint-alleging-mayor-campaigned-at-city-meeting-council-takes-no-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329533-da6ee017e56eb8bc6bdb6a6851a9b625/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150201&Signature=JXcep8cYCWYAC6i4kX5nKdmPl~gOeg13i4iZ-ZDflkLv3cclqgL~aTTwFINlSXlfeK0ynqKfSLd5bVtgF~SlxRdJALbof~s5ujvHbeszz3JZwCKjbSnw~nNfalXrl7~b0PmpC7qqgPLeV0aV2GqoUQxcFi8SY6CK4NJ-3OrFl0ExpfjGJCSoP04JF2ansew3CkS7S6yet0X05EQGyXVEzM-e0mNyZop1T0R6uDYJmgTv7YXU0L03dtzsMPUOD41AG12dK0Jo9uxx9qY6Obkek4DdRmseS1UoMe92M~ynG9-a6UYQpl7GTrlgNzAIzq1Rh0~DYK-tc7~uSIcEv3RY4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-14T12:28:43Z","article","A citizen correspondence alleging unethical conduct by Mayor Mitch Craig was presented to the Portage City Common Council on Jan. 23.

Rick Dodd submitted an ethics complaint dated Jan. 9, 2025, saying that “in his elected office of mayor, he provided political commentary to the upcoming elections, specifically stating that he will do everything possible to get my opponent elected as mayor.” Dodd asked the council to revise the public-comment policy to apply to elected officials speaking at municipal meetings and to require a public apology from the mayor.

Councilors discussed the correspondence but did not take formal action. A council member noted the item was placed on the agenda as correspondence “for your information” and repeated that receiving the correspondence did not, by itself, trigger a policy change. Council discussion clarified there is no ordinance or state law cited at the meeting that prohibits an alderperson from endorsing a candidate; councilors said changing policy would require a separate process. No apology or disciplinary action was ordered during the meeting.

Why it matters: the complaint raises questions about elected officials’ use of municipal meeting time for political remarks and spotlights whether the city’s public-comment rules should explicitly address remarks by elected officials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council - 6:00pm, 02/13/25","oneSentenceSummary","Rick Dodd presented correspondence alleging Mayor Mitch Craig used his office to campaign at a municipal meeting; the council received the letter for information and took no formal action.","taxTitle","Portage City, Columbia County, Wisconsin","taxId",61461,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":74,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":75,"_41":76,"_43":77,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6329538,"Votes at a glance: Portage council approves claims, agreements and street discontinuance resolution",596,814000,1410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7&start=814&end=1410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7/thumbnail_814000.jpg","/articles/6329538/Portage-City/Columbia-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-Portage-council-approves-claims-agreements-and-street-discontinuance-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329538-6f5f11dbda4584849a88add98c585f05/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150201&Signature=Fii3NzuK4A~ah4O4McXCFLXug8zqAPVRgMruGJadxGOCYOvifUX5wqM5FYb~S1C1aRPqKozE2WUIiSvULlHQupr5HARuUZG6abrCNMEtHEapdFFtQMWFo1wGPLI~oR93OSSPz9TPMVPQD3bEzB7oL7ChFjvMcr1rRA3xqIhYXK2olbEXgVJEZ~bSxhtRsNk247lGPEKSqIv1MH~ZKw2SJc~MAkeUHSrYqApQoZgDKOwFoLHgyhR-Abl0qcmGIPm6xde6ddzwL7p3ZLIi0fJ53FnQ1sGgUHUHjJRL7RhOi21TWkhhhyXCwsipY6OoYAFQfeuIgRaxtVybE4YG5ebgKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portage City Common Council on Jan. 23 approved multiple financial and administrative items during its regular meeting.

Key outcomes

- Claims: The council approved $2,852,348.62 in claims. Motion by Alderperson Green; second by Alderperson Paul. Roll-call votes were recorded as aye by Councilmembers listed on the roll; the motion passed.

- Model intercept agreement, Portage Fire Rescue: Council approved a model intercept agreement that establishes a $300 flat fee when Portage intercepts for non‑paramedic ambulance services; the transporting rig retains patient billing rights. Motion by Alderperson Green; second by Alderperson Wetzel. Roll call: motion passed.

- MOA amendment for the Portage Canal: The council approved an amendment extending an existing memorandum of agreement tied to Segment 2 of the Portage Canal related to State Historic Preservation review; the amendment extends the MOA for one year to allow a revised canal nomination to be filed. Motion by Alderperson Green; second by Alderperson Crowley. Roll call: motion passed.

- Park and Recreation agreement for Veterans Memorial Field: The council renewed a short-term agreement with Brett and Bonnie Hesse for Garden Tractor Days at Veterans Memorial Field, with updated fees (first-year fee listed as $17.50; second-year fee $2,000). Motion by Alderperson Crowley; second by Alderperson Bolt. Roll call: motion passed.

- Plan Commission resolution 25-005 (vacate portions of Dorr and Whitney Streets): The council approved a resolution starting the process to vacate underdeveloped right-of-way segments between the Portage Canal and Superior Street to allow RDS Properties (owner of HG Miggs) to expand parking; the action initiates a follow-up public hearing. Motion by Alderperson Green; second by Alderperson Wetzel. Roll call: motion passed.

Other formal actions included approval of meeting minutes from Jan. 23, 2025, and adoption of the consent agenda. Several roll-call votes were held and recorded as passing; the council took no actions on public correspondence and adjourned afterward.","At its Jan. 23 meeting the Portage City Common Council approved $2,852,348.62 in claims and a series of agreements and resolutions, including an intercept agreement for Portage Fire Rescue and a resolution to start vacating underdeveloped right-of-way segments.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":55,"_72":55},6329542,"Portage council hears rising ambulance calls, billing and staffing update from fire chief",269,403000,672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7&start=403&end=672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315971-1ebb3b1cbb827877378dd183915cb0c7/thumbnail_403000.jpg","/articles/6329542/Portage-City/Columbia-County/Wisconsin/Portage-council-hears-rising-ambulance-calls-billing-and-staffing-update-from-fire-chief","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329542-07943bc169681a01d72b829d8b5b64f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150201&Signature=eqn68Cersti92vaRFI0cAspbyw7A7MeW8rWwixc01khFv7snhLZkXAcrYUUkQHm3Q2VdN~Lff7sCFt0YBadWit-Bh0eQTa5DPxLqpHfpzk~Gp2Nv0t~WZoO7-zfwF7AXZbO4Zynwlk4QMBvGU8z0ULDb~LqQcUGdVfF9eLVWy6d3pEwSkAYwNmMQad~9SyCZDVJU07gqKzM02pjRPc~Y~N9ZK-FZMDj~0GgfUC~eVVsuDpQbjJQCO3xHjWLO36f5fo-4kow85vWBRP6~ni6aXBDaj45HX7XoqWDmZ6t2U-rCLEAr6K004q4giAhY48qjpzT9huCMDtr8--5dOlexJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portage City Common Council on Jan. 23 was briefed by Fire Chief Troy on emergency medical service activity, staffing and billing after the city changed ambulance providers.

Chief Troy told the council the department has handled about 380 calls so far this year and is “running just short of 9 a day,” up from about six or seven per day under the previous provider, Aspirus. He said crews have been busy and the department has conducted multiple debriefings after difficult calls: “We've had 380 calls so far. It's a little bit more than we had talked about.”

Alderperson Green praised the department and asked how often three ambulances are out at once. Troy said three ambulances are out multiple times per week and the department has had occasions with four or five in service simultaneously. He said the department has a chase vehicle and that crew members sometimes respond from home when needed.

On mutual aid, Troy said the city has rarely requested outside transport units: the council was told that Portage requested mutual aid once for a major highway crash and had one or two other limited calls for outside assistance. Troy said when outside services did not respond on one or two occasions, Portage adjusted who it calls for backup.

On billing and collections, Troy said staff are reviewing ambulance runs before forwarding them to the billing vendor. He told council that “Cody's reviewing all the runs to make sure that we're hitting all the points we need to hit so we could collect,” and that the city has about 215 runs outstanding and about 90 that the billing company has sent to collections. He said the vendor forecasts money to start returning in roughly 60 days, with an expectation collections could appear by April.

Councilors asked about staffing and Medicare inspections. Troy said the department has been fully staffed “since the beginning,” and that Medicare performed surprise visits, photographing ambulances, station facilities and rosters as part of verification; he said those reviews are underway and the department is completing follow-up items.

Why it matters: the increase in call volume, the billing pipeline and the department’s staffing and mutual-aid posture affect operational capacity and city finances as Portage settles into a new EMS service arrangement.","Fire Chief Troy told the Portage City Common Council that ambulance calls have increased to about 380 year-to-date, nearly nine runs per day, and outlined collection and staffing status as the city transitions EMS service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident submits ethics complaint alleging mayor campaigned at city meeting; council takes no action

Votes at a glance: Portage council approves claims, agreements and street discontinuance resolution

Portage council hears rising ambulance calls, billing and staffing update from fire chief