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Thorp council discusses 2026 street project and lead-line funding; approves contracts and records equipment motion
Summary
Council members heard that a $7 million street borrowing would be difficult, reviewed a lead service line replacement application that could require a $60,000 general-fund expense, approved a three-year assessment contract and confirmed library appointments; a motion to buy a skid steer from Swiderski was recorded.
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Thorp City Council discussed financing constraints for the 2026 Street Project, reviewed the Safe Drinking Water–Lead Service Lateral application and handled routine business including a three-year appraisal contract and recorded a motion to purchase replacement equipment.
Brian Riley of Ehlers and Associates, calling into the meeting, told the council the city faces limitations on borrowing and that a $7 million financing package would be a challenge; he recommended further analysis and multi-year scenarios to map levy impacts and timing. The council recorded that the topographic survey for the street project is about one-third complete and the final survey is expected by the first week of November.
Henry Elling of SEH said the lead-service-line replacement would be appropriate to pair with a street project and that the work would occur over two years. He told the council the program’s award list from the DNR would identify potential grant amounts; Elling said the plan as presented would require the general fund to expense $60,000, an allocation Clerk/Treasurer Pogodzinski questioned as she considered the work primarily a utility expense.
The council approved a three-year contract with Bowmar Appraisal for assessment services (2025: $8,400; 2026: $8,600; 2027: $8,800) by motion (Einhorn/Rosemeyer), vote 4–0. The minutes record three vendor quotes for a replacement skid steer (John Deere $44,495 with $15,000 trade allowance; Swiderski Equipment $29,000 with $25,000 trade; Caterpillar $62,850 with no trade). A motion (Rosemeyer/Einhorn) was recorded to purchase the skid steer from Swiderski for $29,000 with trade of the 2016 unit; the meeting minutes include the motion but do not record a final vote in that line.
The council confirmed library-board appointments (Angela Juzwiak replacing Jon Derks and Loren Gulcynski replacing Eric Shackleton), briefly reviewed the first draft of the 2025 General Fund Operating Budget and later moved to closed session to discuss property purchase and 2025 pay rates for named employees. The council reconvened and the minutes state no action was taken following the closed session.
Why this matters: the street-project financing scenarios and the lead-line application could materially affect the 2025 budget and levy planning; equipment procurement and service contracts affect capital and operating budgets. The clerk’s question about charging $60,000 to the general fund highlights a budget-allocation decision the council will need to resolve before finalizing the 2025 budget.
Next steps: staff will complete the topographic survey and Ehlers will prepare further financing scenarios; the city will await DNR funding details for the SDW-LSL application and continue budget meetings through the fall.
