West Bend council accepts grants, approves contracts and names interim city administrator

The Common Council of West Bend City on March 3 accepted federal and state grant reimbursements, approved routine public-works and utility agreements and on a voice vote appointed Timothy Deering as interim city administrator effective April 5, 2025.

The finance director reported that preliminary, unaudited results for the 2024 general fund show a net surplus of $643,475 and that the city’s projected undesignated fund balance for 2025 is 28.06% of budgeted expenditures, down from 36.68% the prior year after the council committed $2,200,000 of undesignated funds to buy land for a new Fire Station 1. “We ended the year with a preliminary net surplus of $643,475 in the general fund,” Carrie Ford said during the finance committee report.

Why it matters: the actions move routine capital and operating projects forward (sidewalk replacements, right-of-way agreements, tree-planting reimbursements and equipment-sale proceeds) and set staffing at the top of city administration while the council begins a search for a permanent administrator. The preliminary finance results set a baseline for the 2025 budget and show the city remains above standard reserve guidance.

Most significant finance details and staff direction

- Preliminary 2024 general fund surplus and reserves: Carrie Ford reported the $643,475 preliminary surplus and…