Monona committee forwards 2026–2030 capital plan to council without recommendation; hears financial report

The City of Monona Finance and Personnel Committee on Oct. 20 voted to forward Resolution 25102836, the proposed 2026–2030 capital improvements program and related 2026 capital borrowing, to the full City Council without a committee recommendation and received its regular financial report and accounts-payable checks.

Mark, a city staff member who presented the financial report, told the committee “so far this year, everything's on target. The department has been doing great monitoring their budgets.” He said the city originally budgeted a $600,000 draw on fund balance; current figures “we're probably gonna end up being a ... $200,000 gain,” and after transfers the general fund would show “a $400,000 net loss,” according to his presentation.

Why it matters: forwarding the capital improvements program (CIP) without recommendation passes the proposal to the City Council for final consideration without the committee signaling support or opposition. The financial report described current-year variances and carryovers that could affect capital and operating planning going into the 2026 budget year.

Committee action on the CIP and other routine items

The committee discussed Resolution 25102836 — described in the meeting as approving the 2026–2030 capital improvements program and 2026 capital borrowing — and then agreed to forward the capital budget to the full council without a committee recommendation. A committee member stated, “I will move to forward the capital budget to the city council without recommendation.” The motion passed on voice vote.

During the meeting staff reviewed key operating and special fund items. Mark noted an equipment and maintenance overrun tied largely to the department's Engine 2, which he called “basically been a lemon for us” over the past several years; staff said a replacement fire truck is expected to arrive in 2026 and the current overrun is a one-time timing issue. Several capital purchases — including an engine replacement and a plow truck with spreader — were noted as carryovers into 2026 because of delivery timing.

The committee heard that the city’s EMS operations are tracking above revenue projections: revenues were reported at about 92% to date and staff projected roughly $150,000 in surplus revenue, with an additional roughly $40,000 expected from reimbursements for prior years; staff also said one $21,000 payment recently received is not yet reflected in the published report.

Tourism and grants

Staff reported awards from the tourism fund, noting one large awarded grant for an event by MG Singh that is expected to take place in early 2026. The committee discussed plans to preserve some capacity in the tourism fund for future large special events and possible program design to create separate large- and small-grant tracks with caps.

Parkland dedication and donations

The Parkland Dedication Fund showed a single payment received so far; staff said River Place is expected to pull permits in November, which would increase that fund’s revenue and appear in the next quarterly report. The meeting also reviewed trust and agency (donation) accounts used for items such as the boat launch repayment, memorial and tree donations, and library-designated funds. Staff said the senior center account balance shown to the city is about $63,000, while Friends/Foundation accounts held separately may total more than that (staff referenced a Friends-held balance of over $150,000). A tree-donation account tied to a DNR grant was cited at roughly $18,080.

Accounts payable and checks

The committee reviewed and accepted the general fund accounts payable checks dated Oct. 1–16, 2025; staff noted several routine items in the check run, including HVAC repairs for library facilities and periodic maintenance agreements for City Hall and other buildings.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes from Oct. 6, 2025 — motion passed on voice vote (ayes). (Mover: Committee member, name not specified; second: Mayor Moore.) - Resolution 25102836 (2026–2030 CIP and 2026 capital borrowing) — forwarded to City Council without committee recommendation; motion passed on voice vote. (Mover: Committee member, name not specified; second: Mayor Moore.) - Acceptance of general fund accounts payable checks dated Oct. 1–16, 2025 — motion passed on voice vote. (Mover: Committee member, name not specified; second: Mayor Moore.)

What the meeting did not decide

The committee took no final action adopting a capital plan or authorizing borrowing; those substantive decisions remain with the full City Council. Several topics flagged for follow-up — including final balances for certain donation accounts, the River Place permit timing, and carryover capital expenditures — were identified for future reports.

The committee adjourned after routine business.