Tomah council approves zoning update, short-term rental rules and multiple bond offerings; mayor’s judicial pick confirmed

The Tomah Common Council met March 17, 2026, and approved a package of land-use, finance and personnel measures intended to modernize city rules and fund 2026 capital projects.

Council members voted to amend Chapter 52 (Zoning) of the City of Tomah Municipal Code. Administrator Nick Morales said the changes "would lessen restrictions on potential developers" and bring the code more in line with current industry standards; he added some sections had not been updated since the 1970s. John Glynn moved the zoning amendment; Nellie Pater seconded and the motion carried.

The council also adopted a short-term vacation rental ordinance. Travis Scholze moved approval and Nellie Pater seconded. Administrator Charlie Handy told the council the rule will carry annual permit fees and confirmed a duplex counts as two units under the new permit regime.

On financial matters, the council accepted the Fiscal Year 2024 independent audit on a motion by Travis Scholze, seconded by Mitchell Koel; Richard Yarrington noted it was unusual that the auditor was not present to give a report. The council authorized the issuance of up to $1,050,000 in general obligation promissory notes (Series 2026A) and authorized parameters for two utility revenue bond issues: up to $3,405,000 in water system revenue bonds (Series 2026B) and up to $3,815,000 in sewer system revenue bonds (Series 2026C). Harry Allen of Ehlers, who joined by Zoom, said the promissory notes "would fund the City’s 2026 Capital Projects and Purchases" and that Ehlers’ role is to seek the lowest cost of borrowing. The Series 2026A promissory-note authorization and the TID #8 sewer-advance forgiveness drew a recorded 'no' from Alderperson Richard Yarrington; other motions were recorded as carried.

The council approved several routine and operational items, including renewal of the Toro equipment lease and a change to the city’s boat-dock length rule after members noted larger boats are exceeding current limits. Councilors also approved a resolution forgiving the 2019 sewer utility advance to Tax Increment District 8 and a budget transfer related to grants and donations.

Mayor Paul Dwyer’s appointment of Chris Peacock to serve as Tomah Municipal Judge, effective May 1, 2026, was approved by the council. Judge Tom Flock spoke in support of the appointment, noting Peacock’s long municipal service and mandatory judge training requirements and saying Peacock has "his heart in the right place." The council carried the appointment motion.

The council moved to a closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1) for deliberations on property negotiations and related matters. In closed session the council approved final approval for an offer to purchase Property B (one recorded dissent by Richard Yarrington) and took no action on negotiations concerning Property D, Property E or the city attorney contract. After returning from closed session the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.

Votes at a glance (tallies reflect roll call of nine members unless a recorded dissent is noted): • Postpone Employee of the Month announcement — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Table approval of Feb. 17, 2026 minutes until next meeting — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Approve Chapter 52 (Zoning) amendments — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Approve short-term vacation rental ordinance (annual permit fees; duplex counts as two units) — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Accept FY2024 independent audit — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Authorize up to $1,050,000 promissory notes, Series 2026A — Motion carried (yes 8, no 1; Yarrington opposed). • Authorize up to $3,405,000 water revenue bonds, Series 2026B — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Authorize up to $3,815,000 sewer revenue bonds, Series 2026C — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Approve Toro lease renewal — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Approve boat dock length amendment — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Forgive 2019 sewer utility advance to TID #8 — Motion carried (yes 8, no 1; Yarrington opposed). • Approve appointment of Chris Peacock as Municipal Judge (effective May 1, 2026) — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Approve budget transfer for grants & donations — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • Adjourn to closed session under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1) — Motion carried (yes 9–0). • In closed session approve final offer to purchase Property B — Motion carried (yes 8, no 1; Yarrington opposed).

What this means: The council’s zoning changes aim to reduce barriers for developers and to update decades-old code language; the bond and promissory-note authorizations provide debt authority needed to move forward on multiple 2026 capital projects, with water and sewer bond obligations payable from each utility’s revenues. The short-term rental ordinance creates an annual permitting framework and clarifies unit counting for duplexes. Several measures were routine or procedural; a handful of votes recorded a lone dissent by Alderperson Richard Yarrington.