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Council approves fee changes, EMS budgets and enforcement authority for Whispering Coves; rejects MMSD counteroffer
Summary
The Verona Common Council approved amendments to city fees and EMS budgets, authorized staff to draw on a developer letter of credit for Whispering Coves when contract deadlines are missed, and rejected MMSD’s counteroffer on an ongoing appeal.
At its Oct. 27 meeting the Verona Common Council approved several finance items and took enforcement and litigation positions on development matters.
Finance actions: The council approved payment of bills totaling $681,813.52 and passed Resolution 25‑028 amending the city fee schedule after staff described the changes as routine market/annual adjustments. The council also approved Resolution 25‑029, accepting the 2026 operating and capital budgets for the regional EMS district, and Resolution 25‑030 authorizing a levy‑limit adjustment for the joint EMS district consistent with Wis. Stat. 66.0602. Staff explained the EMS formula change decreases Verona’s share but requires all participating municipalities to pass supporting resolutions; the change creates a levy worksheet adjustment of $39,474 to the levy calculation in order to reflect the EMS district adjustment.
Whispering Coves enforcement: Staff updated council on Whispering Coves infrastructure — sluice gates and hatch covers are being set under the developer’s responsibility, but final pavement remains outstanding and may wait for spring conditions. After extended council frustration about project delays, the council passed a motion authorizing city staff to draw on the developer’s letter of credit to complete work if the developer fails to make repairs or meet contract deadlines after notice, subject to the procedures in the development agreement.
Litigation: The city’s outside counsel updated the council on the city’s appeal of a circuit court decision concerning the DNR’s approval of Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) plan amendments. The council met in closed session to discuss negotiation strategy. After reconvening, the council voted to reject MMSD’s most recent counteroffer on the pending appeal.
What this means: The fee schedule and EMS resolutions were routine finance items advancing Verona’s fiscal year process. The Whispering Coves action gives staff express authority to enforce completion of required public improvements under the development agreement. The MMSD litigation remains active; the council declined MMSD’s counterproposal and will continue negotiations under counsel.
