The Fort Atkinson City Council convened on August 5, 2025, to address several key agenda items, primarily focusing on solid waste and recycling collection services, financial auditing services, and updates on sanitary and stormwater inspection services.

The meeting commenced with a review of proposals for solid waste and recycling collection services. City Manager Hausman reported that the current agreement with GFL is set to terminate on December 31, 2025. In response, the city released a request for proposals (RFP) to four companies, receiving bids from John's Disposal and Waste Management. The proposals included options for fully automated curbside collection and bulk item pickup, with John's Disposal offering a base bid of $16.70 per unit and Waste Management at $16.60.

Hausman highlighted that both proposals represented a service reduction compared to the current contract, which includes weekly garbage collection and bi-weekly recycling. After thorough analysis, staff recommended entering into a five-year contract with John's Disposal, maintaining the current service level at a cost of $231 per customer for the first year, with a 3.5% annual increase. The council unanimously approved this recommendation.

Next, the council reviewed proposals for financial auditing services for the fiscal years ending in 2025, 2026, and 2027. Clerk Everett noted that four proposals were received, with Baker Tilly being the recommended firm due to their long-standing partnership with the city and their ability to efficiently interface with the city’s financial software. The council approved the contract with Baker Tilly, ensuring continuity in auditing services.

The meeting also addressed updated invoices from Aquilis for sanitary and stormwater inspection services. Director Nathan reported that additional cleaning was necessary for several sewer lines identified during inspections. The council approved the additional charges of $36,480 to be allocated from the respective utility funds.

In conclusion, the meeting effectively addressed critical service contracts and financial oversight, ensuring that the city of Fort Atkinson continues to provide essential services to its residents while maintaining fiscal responsibility. The council's decisions reflect a commitment to quality service and efficient management of city resources.