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Village board approves 2025 budgets and a slate of routine actions including rate and staffing changes
Summary
At its monthly meeting the Village of Baldwin approved the 2025 ambulance and general fund budgets, a 3% water-rate increase for 2025, an EMS building payment, and several personnel and façade grant actions; several items were handled as consent or committee recommendations.
The Village of Baldwin board approved several key municipal items during its December meeting, including the 2025 ambulance and general fund budgets, a 3% water-rate increase for 2025, a December payment on the EMS building project, and multiple personnel and façade-improvement actions.
Budget approvals: After staff circulated budget materials (some members reported issues viewing embedded tabbed content), the board moved and seconded motions to approve the 2025 ambulance budget and the 2025 general fund budget. Members agreed staff will forward approved documents to the county for processing.
Water rates and utility operations: The Water and Sewer Committee recommended, and the board approved, a 3% increase on the water side for 2025 and no sewer-rate increase. Committee members explained the increase helps cover capital needs including water-tower work and meter replacement. Staff also described a high commercial bill that prompted meter testing and relocation and outlined unpaid balances on 10-day notices approaching six figures; the board directed staff to pursue standard collection options and continue monitoring.
EMS building payment and prosecution fee: The board approved a December payment tied to the EMS building project (one of the final payments referenced) and approved an increase in the village’s prosecution fee from $185 to $205 under a separate agreement with the prosecuting firm.
Personnel, appointments and grants: The Public Safety & Personnel Committee’s recommendations were adopted: the board approved the appointment of Cody Wild as assistant wastewater operator at the recommended starting wage with certification pay, aligned cemetery mowing pay to seasonal rates, and approved façade-improvement applications (20% grant match typical) for several Main Street businesses, subject to final documentation.
Several consent-agenda items were approved by voice vote at the meeting’s close. Where the transcript records voice votes but not numerical tallies, motions were recorded as approved in the minutes.
Votes at a glance - Ambulance budget (2025): motion approved (voice/roll call recorded; specific tally not specified in transcript). - General fund budget (2025): motion approved (voice/roll call recorded; specific tally not specified). - 3% water-rate increase (2025): approved. - EMS building December payment (~$23,000 referenced): approved. - Prosecution rate increase (from $185 to $205): approved. - Appointment: Cody Wild, assistant wastewater operator: approved. - Façade improvement applications: approved (final payment to follow documentation review).
The board forwarded budgets and routine items to appropriate staff and committees for follow-up and requested more detailed billing information in select cases (notably the pantry lease and electric bills).
