Springbrook electors approve $424,636 town tax levy, including $21,854 for tractor loan

Town of Springbrook Town Board Chair John Schaefer called the public budget hearing to order at 7 p.m. Monday at the Springbrook Town Hall and confirmed that Supervisors Mike Hase and Jerry Hotchkiss, Treasurer Colleen Mensing and Clerk Mary Strand were present.

Clerk Mary Strand verified that proper notice of the Budget Summary, the Public Budget Hearing and the Special Meeting of Electors was posted Oct. 23, 2025, on the Town Hall posting board, near Springbrook Church, at the Elk Creek Lake Beach area and on the town website (www.spring-brook.org). Strand said the proposed 2026 budget was available for review by the board and members of the audience.

Board members reported a small set of updates to the draft budget that had been presented at the Oct. 13, 2025, regular meeting: a $250 expense for a Town Advocacy Council (TAC) legislative advocacy membership was added; costs for Menomonie Rural Fire and EMS were reduced; and funds for town highway and road improvements were increased slightly. No further changes or revisions were made at the public hearing.

Supervisor Mike Hase moved, with Chair John Schaefer seconding, to adjourn the Public Budget Hearing; the motion passed by voice vote and the hearing was adjourned at 7:03 p.m. Schaefer then called the Special Meeting of Electors to order at 7:03 p.m.

At the Special Meeting of Electors, Supervisor Mike Hase moved and Supervisor Jerry Hotchkiss seconded a motion to approve the 2025 total town tax levy of $424,636, to be collected in 2026 pursuant to S. 60.10(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes. The levy figure includes an increase of $21,854 to fund a 2026 payment on a tractor loan. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0. The recorded voting members present were Town Board Chair John Schaefer, Supervisors Mike Hase and Jerry Hotchkiss, Treasurer Colleen Mensing and Clerk Mary Strand; all voted in favor.

Clerk Mary Strand moved, and Supervisor Jerry Hotchkiss seconded, to adjourn the Special Meeting of Electors; the motion passed by voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m. The Regular Town Board meeting for November was scheduled to follow.

The hearing and electors’ actions were procedural approvals of the budget and levy; no changes were adopted at the hearing itself. The budget updates and the levy approval will be reflected in the town’s 2026 financial plan and levy collection.