Tomah resident urges uniform sign enforcement; council sends sign ordinance back to committee

A Tomah resident’s public comment about inconsistent enforcement of the city sign code prompted the Common Council on April 20, 2026 to send Chapter 52, Article V back to the Ordinance Committee for review.

Resident Eric Devine told the council that when city staff and officials are complacent, “it suggests that the law is optional for some and enforced for others,” and urged the council to “govern by law and not selective compliance.” His remarks were raised during the meeting’s public comment period.

Travis Scholze moved, and Dean Peterson seconded, that the council refer the sign ordinance to the Ordinance Committee for further review. Administrator Nick Morales told the council the item had previously been discussed by the Long Range Planning Committee and the Planning Commission and that the referral was justified by public concern about enforcement. The motion carried; Mitchell Koel recorded his opposition.

The referral means the Ordinance Committee will revisit both enforcement practices and potential changes to the ordinance wording. The council did not set a date for committee consideration during the meeting; Morales indicated prior committee work had considered loosening restrictions but provided no immediate timetable for action.

Chapter 52, Article V was specifically identified in the motion. No formal amendment or enforcement change was adopted at the meeting; the next step is committee review and any subsequent recommendation back to the full council.