Shiocton board adopts MSA building-inspection contract, updates fees and approves police and EMS budgets

The Village of Shiocton Board of Trustees voted Oct. 14 to hire MSA (represented in the discussion by Stephanie Potter) to provide comprehensive building inspection services effective immediately. Clerk Laurie Sweeney told trustees the current inspector handles only new builds, additions and structures and the village had not been receiving monthly contract reports; state guidance indicated the village must either employ a certified inspector or contract for full coverage. The board approved a contract with MSA and gave the current inspector until the end of the month to transition.

MSA also proposed a revised permit-fee schedule that Clerk Sweeney presented; the board approved updated fees described as higher than Shiocton’s prior schedule but still below typical market rates. Sweeney said MSA would bill monthly for permit-related services and the village would adjust permit fees to cover those costs.

Public works business included a report from DPW Director Dan Conradt on a Sept. 30 water main break on Highway 54. DPW staff recommended trading in the zero-turn mower now to capture favorable trade-in value and using funds previously set aside in the equipment account; the board approved the trade-in and use of set-aside funds.

The board approved the 2025 police budget as recommended by the Police Committee. Chief Sara Knapp said changes included a $500 increase to the fuel budget, a reduction in computer-maintenance costs because IT is accounted for elsewhere, and removal of a set-aside after purchase of the new squad. The committee’s proposal resulted in a final police budget the board said would be $4,555.39 less than the 2024 budget due in part to insurance coverage changes.

The board approved a 2025 contract with Gold Cross Ambulance; Clerk Laurie Sweeney said the consortium had expanded to include Ellington and Greenville and added one ambulance, and that the contract cost rose by "just over $300" for 2025. Trustees also approved Resolution 05-24, which authorizes members of the Gold Cross EMS Services Consortium to increase a tax levy if municipalities participating in the consortium need to cover the contract cost. Sweeney noted Shiocton may pass the resolution without actually raising its levy, because the village can cover the cost from its general fund.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting):

- Contract with MSA (moved Schmoock / second Dawes): approved (motion recorded SEG 012). - Approve updated building permit fee schedule (moved Bunnell / second Schmoock): approved (SEG 014). - Trade in zero-turn mower and use equipment set-aside (moved Dawes / second Woods): approved (SEG 016). - Approve 2025 police budget (moved Tyler / second Dawes): approved (SEG 028). - Approve 2025 EMS contract with Gold Cross (moved Bunnell / second Dawes): approved (SEG 030). - Approve Resolution 05-24 (moved Bunnell / second Dawes): approved (SEG 033).

All motions noted in the transcript were recorded as carried; individual vote tallies were not listed in the meeting text.