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Council approves repair to fire station HVAC; manager reports on tax bills, leaf collection and upcoming workshop
Summary
Council authorized up to $9,865 to repair failing components of the fire station HVAC system. City manager Hausman reported the 2026 budget adoption, property tax bills to be mailed Dec. 12, suspension of curbside leaf collection due to early snow, compost site schedule, and a Dec. 3 workshop on the Kashkinenas subdivision.
The Fort Atkinson City Council on Dec. 2 approved a not‑to‑exceed $9,865 repair to the heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning (HVAC) system at Fire Station 8 after the fire chief reported repeated failures of inverter boards, a failing compressor and a refrigerant leak.
Fire Chief Peterson said contractor Aherns found multiple issues and quoted $9,865 to replace the inverter board and compressor and to locate and repair the refrigerant leak. Peterson described the system as complex, installed with multiple zones and designed to run partially off rooftop solar; he recommended repairing the failing components now and postponing a quoted annual maintenance plan (about $7,250) because of the system’s installation complexity and access requirements. Peterson estimated the repair should extend reliable service by three to four years while staff evaluate longer‑term solutions.
"The system's meant to have four different zones. One of the design installed, they put in 16 different zones," Peterson said, explaining why maintenance and repair can be complicated and costly.
City manager Hausman also delivered routine reports: the council adopted the 2026 budget and 2026–2031 CIP in November; property tax bills are being prepared for mailing Dec. 12; curbside leaf collection has been suspended due to early snow with the compost site open through Dec. 6 and to reopen April 4, 2026; John’s Disposal will begin garbage and recycling service Jan. 1, 2026; and a workshop on the Kashkinenas State Subdivision (wetlands/groundwater report) is scheduled for Dec. 3.
Council approved the HVAC repair by voice vote. During public comment, resident John House raised concerns about the Kashkinenas subdivision, questioned the consultants’ survey and referenced prior DNR interactions; staff scheduled a workshop on that item for the following day.
