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Edgerton council drops SDW borrowing, uses capital surplus to fund street, field projects
Summary
After debate over borrowing, the Edgerton Common Council rescinded a planned $160,000 SDW loan and approved using capital surplus to fund Washington Street improvements and athletic fields; multiple budget adjustments and line-item cuts were also approved to meet levy limits.
Mayor Christopher Lund presided as the Edgerton Common Council on Oct. 20, 2025 rescinded a planned $160,000 borrowing from the Safe Drinking Water (SDW) fund and elected to cover the expense from its Capital Surplus Fund instead.
The council initially approved a motion to borrow $160,000 from the SDW fund for the Albion Street project, but Councilmember Jim Burdick raised concerns and suggested the city use other available funds, saying the city “could utilize these funds for the project and not pay interest on a borrowing.” City Administrator Ramona Flanigan told the council that historically surplus revenue from the sale of business park lots is transferred to the Capital Surplus Fund and later used for projects the following year: “the historically that revenue becomes surplus in 2025 and is transferred to the Capital Surplus Fund and later used for projects the following year.” After discussion the council voted to rescind the SDW borrowing motion and approved a Jim Burdick/Tim Shaw motion to use $160,000 from the Capital Surplus Fund for Washington Street improvements; the motion passed on a 6-0 roll-call vote.
The choice to use surplus funds affected a separate capital project: the council awarded the County F athletic fields contract to Frank Silha and Son’s Excavation. The bid reflected several planned cost reductions, including a $65,000 savings tied to reduced stone thickness and an approximate $38,000 saving by not topsoiling the easternmost fields. The award included an intention to finance the project in 2026; council debate focused on whether to borrow or apply surplus funds.
Councilors also approved other budget-line changes to meet levy-limit constraints. Administrator Flanigan said the 2026 draft budget required removing $264,802 to comply with the levy limit. As part of the reductions, the council removed a $5,822 pool 'funbrella' item and approved using $49,480 from the Capital Surplus Fund to balance the budget. The council also approved using $24,500 in developer fees to fund improvements at the skate park, fish pond pier and Winston Dog Park.
Library Director Beth Krebs requested a $44,000 increase to expand an employee from 20 to 30 hours weekly so that library projects could be completed. The council voted 5-1 to reduce that requested increase by $25,000; Councilmember Shawn Prebil cast the lone dissenting vote.
The meeting concluded after a series of routine budget and procurement votes. The council adjourned following a final motion by Tim Shaw and second by Shawn Prebil.
