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 that the city’s projected undesignated fund balance equals 28.06% of the 2025 budgeted expenditures; Ford said the reduction from 36.68% in 2023 was mainly due to committing $2.2 million for land purchase for Fire Station 1. The figures are preliminary; the annual audit had just begun.

- Carry-forwards and appropriations: The council approved a resolution to appropriate several 2024 revenues into 2025 expenditure accounts across multiple funds (general fund and enterprise/other funds) to allow planned projects and commitments to proceed; the motion was approved on a consent vote.

Other votes and approvals

Votes at a glance

- Order for removal and replacement of sidewalks (Contract 2504): Approved by the Board of Public Works to proceed with the annual citywide sidewalk replacement program; order allows city to share costs with property owners on qualifying slabs; motion approved by voice vote.

- Washington County Municipal Radio Grant ($43,000): The council/finance committee accepted a county radio grant to buy four portable radios and two mobile radios to equip four new police positions and an additional squad car; funds are available pending county paperwork; approved by voice vote.

- DNR Urban Forestry grant reimbursement: The council approved transferring received 2024 DNR urban forestry reimbursement revenue into an expenditure account to offset 2024 tree-planting contract costs and to carry remaining funds forward for 2025 tree-planting contracts.

- Sale of Parks, Recreation and Forestry surplus equipment (Regner Park swim raft): The council approved transferring auction proceeds from the sale of surplus park equipment to the aqua park project expenditure account.

- Roadway reimbursable agreement with WE Energies (Bridal Drive at airport hangar parcels): The council approved a 20-year roadway reimbursement agreement under which the city would reimburse WE Energies for relocation costs if the city causes relocations during that period; after 20 years the statutory relocation rules would apply.

- Appropriation of other 2024 funds to 2025 (multiple funds): Approved on consent to carry forward listed items for operations and capital (general fund, debt service, communications, American Rescue Plan, taxi fund and others).

Appointments and personnel

- Interim city administrator: Following a closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(c) to consider personnel matters, the council returned to open session and approved a motion to appoint Timothy Deering as interim city administrator effective April 5, 2025; the motion was made by Alderman Sternig and seconded by Alderman Zingsheim, and it carried on a voice vote.

- Fire department hiring and oath of office: The council administered the oath of office to firefighter/EMT Mikhail Mattis, who was sworn in and whose hire was reported to bring the fire department to full staffing under the city’s staffing plan.

What the council discussed but did not vote on

- Preliminary audit status: Ford said the city’s annual audit had just begun and the presented numbers were still preliminary.

- Emerald Ash Borer replacement program: Mike (Parks, Recreation & Forestry) explained that tree-planting is an ongoing multi-year effort and that some removed Ash trees have not been replaced because property owners declined replacements; part of the planting program is free street trees and developer-funded plantings once construction is complete.

Meeting context and next steps

Most routine items were approved on consent or by voice vote. The city will proceed with sidewalk replacements under Contract 2504, accept the county radio grant and execute the WE Energies reimbursable agreement. The finance director’s final figures will be available after the audit is complete; the council’s appointment of an interim city administrator takes effect April 5, 2025.

Ending

The meeting adjourned after the appointment motion carried; the council will continue routine oversight and move forward on the projects and appropriations authorized on March 3.