Germantown board approves 2025 paving plan, accepts $2.58 million WisDOT road grant and funds new patrol truck

The Germantown Village Board on Jan. 20 approved the village's 2025 paving program, accepted a $2,581,888 reimbursement grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's Agricultural Road Improvement Program and approved related budget amendments and a patrol truck purchase.

The board voted to adopt the village's 2025 paving plan and 10-year road program, which staff said is budgeted at about $1.5 million for 2025 and is subject to annual reevaluation. "There's definitely flexibility," Matt Mortwed, director of public works, told the board, adding that years two through 10 are projections and that PASER ratings and traffic or utility work can change priorities.

The board then voted to accept the WisDOT ARIP reimbursement grant for pulverize-and-reconstruct work on Pleasant View Road and Rockfield Road. Mortwed said Pleasant View has a culvert near the Menomonee River that increases that project's cost. The grant is reimbursement-based; the village will pay costs up front and seek state reimbursement.

Why it matters: Board members said the ARIP award and grant-driven changes substantially boost the 2025 program. Trustee Baum asked how the $2.58 million grant affects the paving program; Mortwed said the village's 10% share will come from the 2025 paving budget and that, because of the grant, the village will do substantially more roads in 2025 than originally planned.

Budget and equipment moves: The board approved a budget amendment to transfer $83,901.69 of unspent 2024 road funds. After discussion, trustees amended the transfer so $20,000 would finance brine-distribution equipment to upfit a new patrol truck and the remainder would be moved toward debt-service reduction in the next budget year. Trustee Warren explained the technical effect: moving the funds into the debt-service reserve reduces the next year's levy rather than paying down existing principal immediately.

The board approved purchase of a 2025 highway patrol truck with upfit for brine distribution for an amount not to exceed $311,874.38; the vehicle's base price had been budgeted at $295,000 and the upfit was covered by the amended transfer. Mortwed said the new truck would expand pretreatment ability and replace an older truck.

Traffic study: The board considered an award of up to $14,982 to TADDY for an update to a 2020 traffic-safety study covering roughly two dozen intersections. Trustees moved to send that item back to the Public Works Committee to look for a funding source, and the board approved that referral.

Votes at a glance: - Village 2025 paving plan and 10-year program: approved, roll call unanimous (Trustees Baum, Kaminsky, Rick Miller, Warren, Pieper, Jan Miller, Kutz; President Walter all voted Aye). - Acceptance of WisDOT ARIP grant ($2,581,888): approved, roll call unanimous (same membership, all Aye). - Budget amendment transferring $83,901.69 (amended to allocate $20,000 for brine equipment; remainder to debt service): approved, roll call unanimous. - Purchase of 2025 patrol truck with brine upfit (not to exceed $311,874.38): approved; roll call vote recorded Aye: Baum, Kaminsky, Rick Miller, Warren, Kutz, President Walter; No: Pieper, Jan Miller (6-2). - Award of professional services to TADDY for a traffic-safety study: referred to Public Works Committee for funding review.

Board context and next steps: Mortwed said the 10-year program and 5-year seal coat plan will be posted online after approval and that specific construction scheduling will be set after design and bids. The ARIP work is planned for 2025 if reimbursements and scheduling proceed as expected. The board's decisions will feed into the capital borrowing discussion scheduled for later in the year.

The village will publish revised project pages and timelines after staff completes design and posts bid documents. The Public Works director said he would return to the board with firm schedules after bids were prepared.