[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6124895,"mediaKeyId","2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b","parentId",2679310,"title","Waunakee board reviews Wisconsin Policy Forum study on EMS consolidation; board stays neutral pending Middleton decision","audioSeconds",1136,"startMs",2677000,"endMs",3813000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b&start=2677&end=3813","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b/thumbnail_2677000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124895/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Waunakee-board-reviews-Wisconsin-Policy-Forum-study-on-EMS-consolidation-board-stays-neutral-pending-Middleton-decision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124895-a08c1d5b74b036dd23c2ea66ca629b0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774989313&Signature=j3ahoboO3JrUipaDjz2ZA5ubFiupue-H4mQMC3rp1LKbdQe6GAtPLMahUAbHuLvPrLbP2Yb9UhsLohwmPgI8cIFL6EzioDD0AYZrde8EUV59XbFQiB74RMgy78i4QNlb7IF2JfH1CDwSb6hh~WfqRT9~6Sq3WsfDozulyQUHfxQZ4HKn6JDEm99Fe3BKcd023f8NAnVZ~d7awHviFHhE4DsF305-O~qYUIFUyMJy6jC7FBNCLZbALrUalyeFV2a68CCl1A3ZODWB75mACdtLEQbtBFkTMs4FSBueuywAIzgMQWEfLeYQhgSxVTtnL5HgtY2tVbdTyOJJHPNEoIAA3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Waunakee, WI","date","2025-03-18T12:27:11Z","article","The Village Board reviewed a draft feasibility study produced by the Wisconsin Policy Forum assessing options for coordination or consolidation between Waunakee Area EMS and Middleton EMS and took no formal action, instead agreeing to await Middleton’s response.

Staff and trustees discussed the study’s options, which range from remaining separate to phased consolidation with shared stations or crews. Staff described the study as containing “educated guesses” on construction and staffing costs and noted that some figures—particularly station construction estimates—may be low. The draft report was scheduled for public release by the Wisconsin Policy Forum later in the week.

Trustees and EMS representatives raised operational and equity concerns: the report highlighted long response times to portions of Westport (including the retirement community Westshire), and trustees noted that some options in the study would shift costs toward smaller municipalities while producing more immediate savings for Middleton. Trustee Robert McPherson, who represents the village on EMS-related matters, said Middleton would likely see cost savings under many scenarios while smaller municipalities could face higher relative costs. Board members emphasized the need to avoid “subsidizing Middleton” without negotiated protections.

The board also discussed district border issues and mutual-aid patterns; staff noted mutual-aid partners such as DeForest and that dispatch sends the closest available unit for life-threatening emergencies regardless of district borders. Trustees asked that Robert (the village’s EMS commissioner) and EMS governance bodies continue discussions and suggested a joint meeting with Middleton be scheduled. Trustees agreed it was premature to take a formal position; one motion recorded as guidance was that the village would remain neutral pending Middleton’s council meeting and further information from the EMS commission.

No closed-session bargaining or vote occurred. Staff said the EMS commission will meet in April and that any negotiation about the intergovernmental agreement would likely require additional meetings and possible closed-session discussion by the village prior to formal changes to the IGA.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Village of Waunakee Board Meeting 3/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees reviewed a Wisconsin Policy Forum feasibility study on potential consolidation between Waunakee Area EMS and Middleton EMS, discussed response-time, border and cost issues, and agreed to remain neutral until Middleton’s council meets; no formal action taken.","taxTitle","Waunakee, Dane County, Wisconsin","taxId",69795,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124901,"Waunakee trustees continue discussion of potential purchase of 105 E. Second St.; no purchase approved",1240,1230000,2470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b&start=1230&end=2470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b/thumbnail_1230000.jpg","/articles/6124901/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Waunakee-trustees-continue-discussion-of-potential-purchase-of-105-E-Second-St-no-purchase-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124901-3f34d93bd81631d130effde6333bbea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1774989313&Signature=B~nGWSaKHDGYlUvgRcAoaiCRQM7Z83h5XCfdWyc9n0kwvsBGr08p6muPuf4AmGQrn1RQbJzlA~ljEam4u8YvfATRf1zFwz1XCmJ0M-J0sVUNFv~ik2qKxIWUfXt8zGKbl8mPR-B2Avz0c9YYm1HOQX93j47iU7aR3rFOJchAbH~Is-JowWhIzM1Qf5WloC6rQU7z~AKIZFeqlUBRYjiuTtZSZh1RTxKmotZaPqjIU4UgP9mE~p6J-fXFUyUYcVB8-dDz42Hu7O9Qrh9zoycsnOM9m2QiHjCpYs21d68OP4D2ZYaEIWBUdAcoHKARhejiGWaLVz4Z6XB9bV9nnjOqNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Waunakee Village Board discussed the potential purchase of the building at 105 East Second Street on March 17 but did not approve any purchase or option at the meeting.

Staff reported that a building inspector was allowed to inspect the property inside and out and prepared a one-page summary. The inspector, according to staff, did not identify major structural defects that would make the property uninhabitable but noted conditions that could require significant investment, including a roof that “may need to be replaced” and the possibility that installation of restaurant equipment or conversion to residential use would trigger a need for a sprinkler system. Staff emphasized that full sprinkling would be a major investment for a future user.

Trustees expressed concern about buying a property without a clear, funded plan for reuse. Trustee Nyla Frye said she was sympathetic to historical buildings but “it would be very hard at this time for me to support this project” given current fiscal caution. Trustee Robert McPherson and Trustee Joe Zitzelsberger said they were undecided and urged a clearer vision; McPherson called the roof and related repairs “not cheap” though not necessarily structural defects. Trustee Tricia Brown suggested staff and the community development authority could help the owner find private redevelopers and recommended the village consider pursuing development partners or an RFP if the village held an option or ownership interest.

Trustees discussed possible programmatic next steps rather than immediate acquisition: staff agreed to continue dialogue with the property broker, contact potential developers identified by trustees, and explore whether the property could be part of downtown visioning or an expedited comp-plan micro-study. Staff also noted prior contact with adjacent property owners about future interest. A figure of $550,000 was mentioned by trustees in the discussion as the current asking/sale reference for the property; no formal offer was made or recorded.

No motion to purchase was made. The board indicated it would revisit the item at a future meeting after additional staff follow-up, developer outreach and possible inclusion in comp-plan work. Staff-level conversations with property owners and preliminary market/finance options were authorized to inform future decision-making.","Trustees discussed a potential acquisition of the historic property at 105 East Second Street, reviewed an inspector’s report noting no major structural defects but potential roof and sprinkler work, and directed staff to continue outreach and planning rather than proceed with an immediate purchase.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124906,"Waunakee amends code to let board set trustee pay; salary increase set to take effect April 21, 2026",312,816000,1128000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b&start=816&end=1128","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b/thumbnail_816000.jpg","/articles/6124906/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Waunakee-amends-code-to-let-board-set-trustee-pay-salary-increase-set-to-take-effect-April-21-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124906-e570b2d70fcac56ba06df5500feb854f/orig.mp4?Expires=1774989313&Signature=opsVyplRxQ6YoXwMhfRmKFDxbyRyq-HTBxwgp6kPALArjocOjASERF~S2~CSwPTk~s313r0aRqAvLt~-iLcsAn~I8xNalYgyFx2yI08QdLIxisSvHDP6kgNAcGVBwEgHU~En6O~lD2gt91KGGLzFqWLUMODTP1hqoI~~eNjRDvod9zl17v81C5c4U9YgzfdWrfdGHjb~1ZeSBXU3vJwPyJVs4rD-9l7aBGCvmBqKrn~kHHLA1dUI7HlsK8V293A~Iej69ohWMor7mO2DioSwYi-fKfGNjSKV4osEpSXgtKltUlfnwgm~bkQplI8PpqF1jauRa1zIRZ-5a7pN7hcnJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Waunakee Village Board voted to amend its code of ordinances to remove a fixed dollar amount for elected-official pay and allow future adjustments by village resolution, and separately approved a resolution setting new salaries that will take effect April 21, 2026.

The board first voted to adopt an ordinance amending section 2-36 of the Waunakee Code of Ordinances to replace a hard-coded dollar figure with a mechanism for modification by resolution. Following adoption of the ordinance, trustees approved a resolution that establishes the updated pay schedule and sets the effective date for the new pay as April 21, 2026; staff noted the first payment under the new schedule would occur in the following payroll cycle (three months after the start date). The board also gave a policy direction to keep disbursements on a quarterly schedule.

Trustees discussed timing and parity. Trustee Erin (first name only in record) said the change recognizes volunteer time and supported implementing the change one year later to avoid having different pay for trustees who remain in office versus newly elected trustees, and Trustee Tricia Brown agreed the April 21, 2026 effective date would avoid split pay among board members. Trustee Kristen Runge and Trustee Nyla Frye also supported the delayed effective date for parity reasons. Trustee Joe Zitzelsberger said he was not a strong proponent but found the proposed amounts reasonable; Trustee Robert McPherson said he supported the change for future trustees given long-term inflation.

A motion to adopt the ordinance was made and seconded and approved by voice vote; the resolution setting salaries was then moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board chose to keep pay disbursement quarterly rather than change to monthly or biweekly.

The packet materials described the change as a board policy prerogative and noted that sitting board members cannot actively change their own current pay; the delayed effective date was discussed as a way to preserve parity between incumbents and future officeholders. The ordinance and the salary resolution were recorded in the meeting minutes and will be posted in the village packet.","The Village Board adopted an ordinance changing how elected-official salaries are set and approved a resolution that raises trustee pay effective April 21, 2026; the board directed payroll to remain quarterly.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124911,"Waunakee board approves diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility statement on consent agenda after widespread public support",392,83000,475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b&start=83&end=475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2679310-1edb089bd32d62407e45e6a0d8328d1b/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6124911/Waunakee/Dane-County/Wisconsin/Waunakee-board-approves-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-accessibility-statement-on-consent-agenda-after-widespread-public-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124911-6ff6ef1e2666bcd3f8d62ec3dd166b0b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774989313&Signature=XlthrnzyeVejZxmfuyHNXFDOgKNoYkvGNgVFIwkzRDramcPYIllknURBc1z6ty0acsdGgtlf4vzS9RzagZ7VwcayxIH3V-QjTWaCE~y9Mvr-z1~tvNlfv3t5VRHwyiTBetP1Izn8V4JxdMf7ySsJvkA9Dr09nsY5L-IzS41HOEsvE0yOMxSgCXqeVeRpFq3z9B~xrnz0h0mYXmbXYmmO2ieVacGd8hLGNFo23K~25pxU9ujpiMbciZySpPHAzm4lflyf3Ep1LtpaILwBiR2VQXt3J8DSazci~ICTDVWRIAxJtUCSr8RlefzN8X5XzpwbuDAH-N4WZ0yj7GKptlcchg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Waunakee Village Board approved a resolution reaffirming the village’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as part of the consent agenda at its March 17 meeting.

The resolution was included on the consent agenda and, after a motion to approve and a voice vote, the board’s chair announced that the “consent agenda … stands as approved by the board.”

The resolution drew multiple public comments in its favor before the vote. A written comment submitted by Asia Dale of 921 Lexington Way asked the village to publish “a statement of unified support of all Waunakee residents,” adding that “I’m proud of acknowledgments, initiatives, and decisions, examples, diverse flags, statements of support, land acknowledgements, and female representation that have been made in the last 10 years.” Joel Lewis, identified as president of the Waunakee IDEA, told the board, “we are in favor and support of the approval of the resolution and continue to support of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives within the village of Waunakee.” Other residents who spoke in support included Christa Schmidt Schmelk, Linda Ashmore, Meredith Glick and Rebecca Gotwold.

Board members did not take separate roll-call votes on the resolution; the item was bundled into the consent agenda and approved with the rest of the consent items. No amendments or formal debate of the resolution were recorded during the public portion of the meeting.

The board packet and staff noted the resolution had been circulated prior to the meeting and was available online. The village clerk had posted the final agenda at official locations on March 12–13 and the agenda had been published in the Waunakee Tribune on March 14.

Looking ahead, because the resolution passed on the consent agenda there was no separate motion to implement additional programs tied to the resolution recorded at this meeting.","The Village Board approved a resolution reaffirming Waunakee’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility as part of the consent agenda; multiple residents and local nonprofit leaders submitted written and oral comments in support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Waunakee board reviews Wisconsin Policy Forum study on EMS consolidation; board stays neutral pending Middleton decision

Waunakee trustees continue discussion of potential purchase of 105 E. Second St.; no purchase approved

Waunakee amends code to let board set trustee pay; salary increase set to take effect April 21, 2026

Waunakee board approves diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility statement on consent agenda after widespread public support