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Bloomington board approves 2026 budget, utilities ordinance and a package of routine measures
Summary
The Village Board approved the 2026 budget and levy, adopted an updated utilities ordinance, and approved several operational purchases and contracts including a mower loan and mapping subscription; the board postponed any sewer-rate increase decision until December.
On Nov. 3 the Village Board unanimously approved the 2026 budget and levy, adopted an updated utilities ordinance, and approved several routine operational measures and vendor agreements.
The approved 2026 budget includes a 4% increase in village support for the library, raising the village contribution from $26,000 to $27,040; combined with Grant County’s increased contribution, library income is projected at $50,952. The board voted to set the levy payable in 2025–2026.
The board adopted an updated utilities ordinance that McLimans said clarifies water shutoff procedures and improves administrative forms; the board also approved a set of utility-account and service forms to streamline new-customer onboarding. Clerk Atterbury explained the WisVote Cost Sharing Agreement with the county, under which the county pays for federal and county election printing while the village pays for local-election costs; the board approved that standard agreement.
Operational approvals included selecting Clare Bank for a $10,000 tax-qualified general obligation loan for a John Deere zero-turn mower (Clare Bank quoted 3.49% vs. Peoples State Bank 4.10%), approving a Diamond Maps subscription and contracted data-update work by Delta 3 (Delta 3 estimated $1,500–$2,000 for map updates), authorizing an internet upgrade at the wastewater plant to 50 mb for $118.99 per month, approving hydro-jetting and camera inspection of a grease-clogged sewer main (estimated ~$2,000 plus mileage), and accepting a $1,228.15 quote for truck repairs. The board also approved paying up to $5,000 to rebuild a rotted park concession cooler.
Clerk Atterbury reported the sewer utility projects a $60,808 net loss next year; covering that shortfall would require a 42.35% increase in rates. The board discussed applying increases to usage fees rather than the $61.58 quarterly base but postponed any rate decision until the December meeting to gather more precise impact data.
All motions recorded at the meeting passed unanimously unless otherwise noted.
