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Vernon County finance committee OKs budget amendments, funds Sidie Hollow feasibility study
Summary
At its April 16 meeting, the Vernon County Finance Committee approved several budget amendments — including $5,106.50 for security cameras, two reallocations to fund a $35,000 Sidie Hollow feasibility study, acceptance of an unspecified health-department grant for vaccine outreach, and an Investment Grade Audit Agreement to identify energy-conservation measures.
The Vernon County Finance Committee met April 16 in the county board room and approved several budget amendments and funding reallocations for 2026, including camera purchases for a Land & Water office and full funding for a $35,000 feasibility study at Sidie Hollow.
Supervisor John Pedretti moved, and Supervisor Will Beitlich seconded, a motion to "approve the March 17th minutes as written," which the committee adopted unanimously. Anne Lockyer presented the Treasurer's report on behalf of Karen DeLap, reporting total cash on hand as of March 31 of $29,721,112.53, receipts of $8,692,848.55, delinquent property taxes of $953,174.36 and sales-tax receipts to date of $204,560.40.
A Land & Water resolution to reimburse the IT Department for security cameras at the Airport Road office prompted pushback from the Conservation and Education committee, which said the Administrative Coordinator had approved spending Land & Water non-lapsing funds without its knowledge. After discussion, the Finance Committee "revise[d] and approve[d] the proposed resolution to amend the 2026 Budget to utilize $5,106.50 in Land & Water non-lapsing funds to reimburse the IT Department for the security cameras," on a voice vote with all voting in favor. The motion to forward the amended resolution to the full county board carried.
The committee approved two actions to ensure the Sidie Hollow feasibility study, estimated at $35,000, is fully funded. Land & Water asked to reallocate $7,773.76 of previously approved 2025 Ho-Chunk funding that was underspent, and additionally sought $12,226.34 from Land & Water non-lapse funds to fill the remaining gap. Both reallocations were approved on voice votes and forwarded to the full county board with recommendations for approval.
The Health Department presented a resolution to amend its 2026 budget to accept grant funding for vaccine awareness education and outreach; the committee approved forwarding that amendment to the county board. The record does not specify the grant amount.
The committee also approved an Investment Grade Audit Agreement intended to identify energy-conservation measures appropriate for Vernon County. Representatives from Schneider Electric (Conner) answered committee questions, and Phil Hewitt provided background for the request; the resolution was approved and will go to the full county board with a recommendation for approval.
On financial operations, Finance Director Anne Lockyer told the committee staff continue building a new financial system and reported that the county's bond rating returned as AA-. Committee members discussed exploring multi-year bonding rather than borrowing annually for capital projects and agreed to investigate the option further before taking action.
The meeting adjourned after a final voice vote. The committee scheduled its next monthly meeting for May 19 at 9:30 a.m. in the Vernon County Board Room.
