[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6184844,"mediaKeyId","5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e","parentId",5086177,"title","Partners propose five‑year pilot to manage aquatic plants in Little Lake Butte des Morts; advocates urged to form lake association","audioSeconds",1142,"startMs",2153000,"endMs",3295000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e&start=2153&end=3295","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e/thumbnail_2153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184844/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Partners-propose-fiveyear-pilot-to-manage-aquatic-plants-in-Little-Lake-Butte-des-Morts-advocates-urged-to-form-lake-association","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184844-59b6901abc34ad161d7147752445c2b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168229&Signature=a7JD-3qCyml~tQTNW8nzNbSRhUBSLj2hLGWHPn1hP3HBMY1PbJkaE-GZ4UM0-XKBCnDfZJOwJ0prU3W4sFEeI4LYwJ-fz7oxT5P-fQswGtsURQNqlPrYu8B9COHN9fEcfTQ2cQIorTpGSYOjRw-0z8NhlJYKM6Ir9nGpqkuB7P5Zk8tTdzYo2h4FQmAz081MOriJWtEqdwo8qU6HjN6CDewd6pQJPgBvg3EPb-6TzTnkP10PBMz2JcNLGQY5r523qQ1EDlXxCWuETyyAq-gGuZsuW3wL8xyCYSnNbWT20Z8HUV-5K~9XpmAG7iF88SDHd1rRS0p7kaTD7AI-f8cVrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Neenah, Wisconsin","date","2025-06-25T18:14:26Z","article","Katie Woodrow of the Fox‑Wolf Watershed Alliance presented a final report to the Neenah Common Council on June 18 summarizing phase‑one work on Little Lake Butte des Morts: stakeholder engagement, data collection, an aquatic plant baseline, and an action plan that includes a mechanical harvesting pilot and a recommendation to form a lake association.

Project partners include the cities of Neenah and Menasha and the Village of Fox Crossing, with technical support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Department, and GEI Consultants. Funding sources identified in the presentation included a DNR surface water grant as well as support from Fund for Lake Michigan, Community Foundation partners and \"Future Neenah.\" Fox‑Wolf said the effort began in October 2023 and phase‑one work focused on assembling data and public input.

Public engagement and baseline data: the partnership held three public meetings (July 18, 2024; February 2025; May 13, 2025) with over 250 total attendees and ran a stakeholder survey. Of 366 survey mailings to shoreline property owners, the presenter said about 150 owners responded (roughly a 41% response rate); an additional 291 public responses were recorded. Winnebago County conducted a shoreline erosion inventory in May 2024 (drone and boat) and found sites of erosion and 13 vegetated shoreline buffers. An aquatic plant inventory in July 2024 sampled 641 locations around the lake using rake surveys and produced an average \"rake fullness\" of 2.05, indicating dense plant growth in concentrated areas such as near Arrowhead Park.

Water quality sampling by the DNR in 2024 (three sampling events) showed phosphorus and sediment above thresholds for good water quality, the presentation said. Fox‑Wolf characterized the lake as not historically well monitored by the DNR and said the new sampling will form a helpful baseline for ongoing monitoring.

Pilot management plan: the recommended next step for Neenah is a mechanical harvesting pilot focused on the Arrowhead Park/nearby park area to create cut \"lanes\" for non‑motorized access and to improve aesthetics. The pilot as described would begin in June 2026 under a permit that can be renewed on a 3–5 year cycle; harvested vegetation would be removed and disposed (composted or landfilled) with special precautions to avoid spreading fragments of aquatic invasive species. Fox‑Wolf noted the DNR will monitor outcomes — particularly any spread of invasive species — during the permit period.

Community organization and funding: the report recommends organizing a lake association to provide local leadership, fundraising and grant eligibility. Fox‑Wolf offered to lead initial outreach and provide education, meeting facilitation and fiscal sponsorship while stakeholders organize. Neenah and Menasha have committed seed funding to move to the next phase; Fox‑Wolf planned a stakeholder kickoff on June 24 at the Menasha Library.

Council discussion included questions about PCBs and invasive species/lock operations. Alderman Ellis asked whether latent PCB effects on fish or vegetation had been noted; the presenter said she had not heard reports of deformities and that DNR monitoring post‑cleanup had been favorable. On invasive round goby and lock closures, Fox‑Wolf said the organization is not making lock‑closure recommendations but is prepared to help an organized lake association present information and advocate to state agencies.

No formal council action was required; the presentation concluded with an invitation to interested residents to engage in the next‑phase meetings and the planned pilot permit work.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06-18-2025 Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Katie Woodrow of Fox‑Wolf Watershed Alliance presented the final Little Lake Butte des Morts aquatic management report to the council on June 18, recommending a mechanical harvesting pilot beginning in June 2026 and calling for creation of a local lake association to lead long‑term work.","taxTitle","Neenah, Winnebago County, Wisconsin","taxId",51879,"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},6184849,"Neenah approves parameters for up to $12.295 million in general obligation notes to fund 2025 capital projects",921,1216000,2137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e&start=1216&end=2137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e/thumbnail_1216000.jpg","/articles/6184849/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Neenah-approves-parameters-for-up-to-12295-million-in-general-obligation-notes-to-fund-2025-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184849-6c4e32916a5d534b5d1ff62085d56efc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168229&Signature=OQIcDwEzylQNVYkqaXhUmr1kcjVhizdOJpemHwzEqnkPcpxHBsJhxQq8EOfQc3SGQ-jNYhhu-trcngObkVy~OCbdqA~Bs05-urg60pOUK9eFtYsYIicyWV-u7Snokw3VWBMIjUto3vN6Qh54Jidz4AFoZgaaPQqgukNlBG7QE1nmUub9apCB12Q4x1d7faabgrm8OKarq6uuGF7CSBis48KU4Vcr~DLyspmoMoyxxAKaeWaU8xM0TPmpygeefA9tFOjbqFtyyIKCNFwiB8SjcEkxBGPu-i-1r3n0BmBzhf852XJuFbmpNxz77HaE10TjK8bnYIJKqu-ZNn6ktJQfhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Neenah Common Council on June 18 approved Resolution 2025‑06 to authorize issuance and establish parameters for sale of general obligation promissory notes not to exceed $12,295,000 (Series 2025A) to finance 2025 capital projects.

Bradley V. Gut of Baird explained the financing plan and timelines: the issue was described in broad strokes as a general obligation promissory note scheduled as a 10‑year repayment with final payment in 2035, with an estimated interest rate around 4.06 percent based on current market conditions. The borrowing will finance three groups of projects: levy‑supported projects (about $11.61 million of the issue, including $3.0 million for the fire station this year with another $3.0 million to be issued next year), sanitary sewer projects (about $430,000) and stormwater projects (about $555,000). Baird said the financing team is targeting an August 11 pricing and a September 2 closing, subject to market conditions.

Why it matters: the planned borrowing increases the city's levy‑supported debt service in the coming years. Baird and staff illustrated a scenario under the current capital program in which annual levy‑supported principal and interest payments climb from roughly $4.4 million in 2025 to roughly $12.2 million within five years absent changes to future capital assumptions. Director Rasmussen noted the combined net mill rate used in the plan increases from about $1.45 per $1,000 of assessed value to a modeled $3.71 by 2029 under the present assumptions; staff cautioned the figures represent the debt component only and that total tax bills include other levies.

Council members questioned call features, prepayment and flexibility in the maturity schedule. Baird explained the resolution includes parameter flexibility to adjust principal by up to $1,000,000 per maturity to smooth annual debt service and meet council debt targets; a tentative call date of March 1, 2033 was discussed but may shift depending on investor preferences. Alderman Lundrum asked whether principal could be moved; Baird clarified the change referred to adjusting maturity amounts to even out annual payments. On prepayment, Baird said call features allow prepayment without penalty after the call date; he noted communities prepay debt when TIDs close or when surplus funds allow it.

Alderman Paul Knopf asked whether the borrowing could be structured as \"bank‑qualified\" (tax code incentive if issuance is under $10 million); Baird said the city's financing has exceeded $10 million in recent years and that, in the current market, the bank‑qualified premium is small (on the order of 0.05 percentage point today), but the issue would need to be under $10 million in a calendar year to qualify.

Finance committee reviewed and unanimously recommended the resolution before the council. Alderman Erickson moved approval of Resolution 2025‑06; Alderman Ellis seconded. The clerk called the roll and the motion passed 7–0.

The adopted parameters authorize staff and the city's fiscal team to finalize terms within the resolution's limits and proceed to market with signatures from the mayor, council president and city clerk to award the notes at pricing.

","The Common Council approved a resolution establishing parameters to issue general obligation promissory notes (series 2025A) not to exceed $12,295,000, financing levy‑supported capital projects including the first $3 million of a $6 million fire station project; Baird presented timing, structure and projected debt service impacts.",{"_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},6184854,"Neenah audit: clean opinion, general fund balance up about $1.2 million",1081,122000,1203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e&start=122&end=1203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5086177-11e22db81ba9ea27ec2f40f70789710e/thumbnail_122000.jpg","/articles/6184854/Neenah/Winnebago-County/Wisconsin/Neenah-audit-clean-opinion-general-fund-balance-up-about-12-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184854-aaba3746033f773253f9bdb4dcbe5979/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168229&Signature=Mgd6ReklgQXUWxBSG~v7VlHONWjHd75~0rCJPE05HYUnMvM80qcAqBsbZVtAv6-P61u~UC9TcKcF-dJcw-Vj96shprQN1MBr09LaI3e6-oyw03Vvbvxbgh4ee1vAXZ4M4mwgYAYsExKcB~zqvrbwJURg3Lo~ZgGx1XPAbA9hGSjJhDSdI-GaFcoCE3ZkX5iW7TuczswtARwnJIIRd6gYboP6J8jdPhe1FX5v5euCLoahRGux8Q3CW4F0NvUULxQxvl4ghjrCqCvBAeC6sXsY7mYWHKrD3OCe57bCWYULb2nQWIq2~RZRzoJjBUF7tDZxa21FxPrjagRYlYfBbtafUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","John Raider of Baker Tilly told the Neenah Common Council on June 18 that the city's 2024 annual comprehensive financial report received an unmodified (\"clean\") audit opinion and contained no material adjusting entries.

The audit presentation, introduced by Director Rasmussen, highlighted a $1.2 million increase in the city's general fund balance for 2024; unassigned (unrestricted) fund balance rose by about $1.1 million. Baker Tilly attributed the improvement largely to stronger-than-budgeted investment income (about $778,000) and permit revenue (about $150,000), while overall expenditures were slightly under budget.

The clean opinion means the financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, Raider said. He pointed council members to the ACFR's Management Discussion and Analysis for explanations of year‑to‑year changes, and noted the report was submitted earlier than recent years (issued May 28).

Why it matters: a clean audit and a growing unassigned fund balance give the city more flexibility for budgeting and credit analysis. Raider said Neenah's unassigned balance represented roughly two months of expenditures, just above the Government Finance Officers Association's 17 percent (two‑month) benchmark used for municipal liquidity assessments.

Details from the presentation include department drivers of expenditure savings (police, snow and ice, parks) and multi‑year context in the ACFR's statistical section. Utility highlights delivered by the audit team noted the water fund had roughly $9.3 million in unrestricted reserves (about 13 months of operating coverage) and that sewer and stormwater funds also maintained multi‑month reserves (sewer about 6.8 months; stormwater about 14 months). The audit firm reported no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control for the second consecutive year.

Alderman Paulino moved, and Alderman Ellis seconded, to receive and place the audit report on file. The clerk conducted a roll call vote; the motion passed 7–0.

The audit materials and the ACFR are part of the meeting packet and are available on the city's website for officials and residents to review.

","Baker Tilly presented the City of Neenah's 2024 annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) at the June 18 council meeting, reporting an unmodified (clean) opinion, higher-than-budgeted investment income, and an increase in the general fund balance; council received and placed the report on file by unanimous vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Partners propose five‑year pilot to manage aquatic plants in Little Lake Butte des Morts; advocates urged to form lake association

Neenah approves parameters for up to $12.295 million in general obligation notes to fund 2025 capital projects

Neenah audit: clean opinion, general fund balance up about $1.2 million