Janesville board reviews 2025 draft budget as pumper loan drives increase

The Janesville Township Board on Tuesday reviewed the city's 2025 draft budget and pressed staff for more current unaudited 2024 figures as officials weighed a proposed increase largely driven by a pumper-truck loan payment.

The city presented a draft total of about $232,132 for 2025, roughly $68,000 higher than the adopted 2024 budget, and said the City Council will adopt the final budget at its Dec. 9 meeting. Board members said they want year-to-date 2024 numbers (beyond the July 1 snapshot) to better compare proposed spending to actuals; staff agreed to update the 2024 column and circulate the revised figures to the townships.

Fire Chief Mike said the department's budget rise reflects two main items: turnout gear purchases to equip five new firefighters and the loan payment for a recently purchased pumper truck. "We have five new guys, so the turnout gear is higher than expected," Mike said, adding that some gear costs can be submitted for reimbursement after rookies complete training.

Board members noted a pumper loan payment of about $69,000 accounts for most of the year-over-year increase. City staff said the loan has four payments remaining and the last payment is scheduled for July 2028.

Officials clarified that the township contribution covers approximately 25% of the operating portion of the fire budget; however, because the pumper loan payment is included in the city's 2025 numbers, townships will effectively help fund part of the capital payment this year. City staff said the municipality normally maintains separate reserve funds for vehicle replacement but needed to supplement them for this purchase.

As of Sept. 1, staff reported the capital reserve fund balance was about $67,500 and the rural fire fund about $18,650; the city also plans an end-of-year transfer that would add roughly $75,000 to the capital reserve this year as part of an average $150,000 annual contribution.

On equipment, the chief said the new pumper entered service in February and is performing on calls without major manufacturer issues. A brush truck purchased with rural-fund dollars—reported price near $90,000—has been paid off, and a four-wheeler was bought using donations. Staff also reported that about 75% of rural-fire invoices sent to outside parties have been paid but that collection is difficult when incidents occur outside the service area.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included routing state fire-aid of a little over $36,000 to the Fire Relief Association and paying the Citywide annual cleanup bill of about $7,000. Board members agreed to revisit budget line items at the December meeting after receiving the updated unaudited 2024 figures.

The City Council is scheduled to adopt the final budget on Dec. 9.