New Germany council approves turnout gear purchase and employee wage increases

The New Germany City Council on March 3 approved a plan to proceed with purchasing firefighter turnout gear and approved employee reviews and wage increases for Public Works staff and the city clerk.

Mayor Shirley Jaeger presided over the meeting. Fire Chief Goede reported on a vendor demonstration comparing turnout gear options and prices: Globe brand gear was listed at $5,364 per set, Lakeland at $4,296 per set, and the visiting vendor quoted a package price of $3,400 per set. After the demonstration Council Member Lorn Herrmann moved and Council Member Paul Roepke seconded a motion to allow the Fire Department to move forward with the turnout gear purchase; the motion carried 4–0.

The council also approved employee reviews and wage increases for Public Works and the city clerk. Council Member Lorn Herrmann moved and Thomas Mielke seconded the personnel motion; it passed 4–0. Council Member Thomas Mielke later moved and Lorn Herrmann seconded approval of the consent agenda (February 17 minutes, claims for payment, and financial reports); that motion also carried 4–0.

The minutes record that departments such as Orono and Spring Lake Park have previously purchased from the vendor who demonstrated the gear. The minutes do not record a detailed procurement threshold, contract number, or funding source for the turnout gear purchase.

The council added "Resolution 2026-03 Gambling Funds" to the agenda earlier in the meeting by a separate procedural motion (moved by Paul Roepke, seconded by Lorn Herrmann); that addition also carried 4–0. The minutes do not show debate on that resolution during this meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:41 PM following a motion by Thomas Mielke and second by Paul Roepke.