North Fond du Lac board cuts 2024 levy $50,000, approves budgets and ambulance purchase

The Village of North Fond du Lac Board of Trustees voted Oct. 16 to reduce the 2024 levy by $50,000 and to approve the village’s operating and capital budgets for 2024, including authorization to purchase an ambulance chassis for up to $305,000.

Administrator Nick Leonard presented levy scenarios and budget proposals during the meeting; trustees ultimately agreed on a $50,000 reduction to the levy, which was described as about a 3% decrease in the tax rate. Trustee Mike Will advocated for a larger $150,000 reduction, but the Board settled on the smaller reduction after discussion about balancing Shared Revenue gains with service needs.

The Board approved several budgetary changes and inclusions. Director of Public Works Mitch Vis presented the DPW’s 2024 budget, highlighting reallocated hours, higher fuel and electricity costs and a roughly $21,000 increase in the sanitation budget for bulky-waste pickup. Vis proposed adding a full-time Crewperson/Maintenance position (to replace a vacant janitor and a vacant long-term seasonal position) with an estimated $20,000 net increase to the General Fund and reclassifying a current Crewperson to a Crew Leader role; the Board approved moving forward with a 36–38 hour/week position and the Crew Leader reclassification, with direction for Vis to return to the Board if hiring proves difficult.

Fire/EMS Chief Jake Flaherty recommended adding paid on-call firefighter coverage from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Thursday through Sunday by adding three individuals at an estimated cost of about $15,000; the Board directed staff to include that in the budget. Leonard also proposed raising poll worker pay from $10 to $12 per hour, increasing chief inspector pay from $12 to $15, and raising per diems for boards and commissions from $25 to $30; those increases were incorporated into the proposed budget. Leonard told the Board the Spillman Library budget increased by about $19,000 due to health insurance cost changes.

On capital planning, Chief Flaherty told trustees that an ambulance chassis the village had ordered more than two years earlier is available and that completing the purchase would cost about $305,000. Leonard reported the capital reserve fund balance exceeded $600,000 and noted the current project list was about $200,000 over the $1.375 million two‑year borrowing target; the Board agreed to use $200,000 of reserves toward the McKinley Street bridge project. A motion by Trustee John Duffy, seconded by Trustee Chuck Hornung, to approve purchase of up to $305,000 for the ambulance passed unanimously.

The Board also approved several other items on the agenda. Police Chief Darren Pautsch said the department ordered three FLOCK license-plate cameras that will cost approximately $9,000 annually. The Board approved the 2024 Fond du Lac County Tax Collection Agreement, noting a $0.05 increase per parcel. Two resolutions were approved: Resolution 13-2023 designating up to $5,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to buy a portable speed detection sign, and Resolution 14-2023 acknowledging Mitch Vis as the authorized representative for water and wastewater system improvements. Routine consent items (minutes and invoices) were approved after Trustee Chuck Hornung raised two corrections to the minutes; Hornung abstained from that consent-vote and the motion carried.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (minutes of 10/02/2023 and invoices): motion by Trustee Mike Will, second by Trustee Ann Price; vote 4 ayes, 1 abstention (Hornung); outcome: approved. - 2024 Fond du Lac County Tax Collection Agreement: motion by Trustee Chuck Hornung, second by Trustee John Duffy; vote 5-0; outcome: approved. - Ambulance purchase (up to $305,000): motion by Trustee John Duffy, second by Trustee Chuck Hornung; vote 5-0; outcome: approved. - Resolution 13-2023 (use of ARPA funds up to $5,000 for portable speed sign): motion by Trustee Mike Will, second by Trustee Ann Price; vote 5-0; outcome: approved. - Resolution 14-2023 (designating Mitch Vis as authorized representative for water/wastewater improvements): motion by Trustee Ann Price, second by Trustee John Duffy; vote 5-0; outcome: approved. - Adjournment: motion by Trustee Ann Price, second by Trustee Chuck Hornung; vote 5-0; outcome: approved.

The Board concluded the meeting at 9:13 p.m. and asked staff to return with additional details on the Shared Ride Program and to update the DPW job description to reflect the approved duties for the new maintenance position.