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Black Earth board approves data‑center and transportation resolutions, meter upgrade and EMS‑area parcel contribution
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Village of Black Earth board approved Data Center Resolution #2026-01 and Transportation Resolution #2026-02, authorized financing for an electronic meter-read program, agreed to contribute toward an EMS‑adjacent parcel purchase, appointed a Vanguard Commission citizen member, and directed follow-up research after a closed session.
The Village of Black Earth Board at its May 5, 2026 meeting approved a series of resolutions, operational upgrades and a contribution toward a parcel adjacent to the Dane County District One EMS facility.
President Terry Moyer opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and the board moved through calendar items, approving the minutes from April 8 and voting on multiple items of business. The board unanimously approved Data Center Resolution #2026-01 after discussion (motion by Trustee Jen Schuetz, second by Trustee Mitch Hodson). The board also unanimously approved Transportation Resolution #2026-02 (motion by Trustee Dylan Helmenstine, second by Trustee Jen Schuetz).
Public Works Director Matt Kahl presented options for electronic meter reads; the board approved option one with financing recommended by Johnson Block on a unanimous vote (motion by Trustee Dylan Helmenstine, second by Trustee Jen Schuetz). The board also voted to contribute the village’s vested interest amount toward purchasing parcel #153/0806 171-6092-1, adjacent to the Dane County District One EMS building, with the motion moved by Trustee Mitch Hodson and seconded by Trustee Dylan Helmenstine; that motion carried unanimously.
The board approved routine invoices and other consent items. Trustee Dylan Helmenstine moved to appoint Bryan Moyer as a citizen member of the Vanguard Commission; the motion passed 5-0-1 with President Moyer abstaining due to a family relation to the appointee.
The board entered a closed session under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e) to deliberate the purchase of public properties and related bargaining matters; after returning to open session the board directed staff to research Department of Natural Resources resources and obtain an assessor review of the properties discussed.
Votes at a glance - Committee appointments as presented: Passed 4-2-0 (motion moved by President Terry Moyer; opposed: Dylan Helmenstine and Jen Schuetz). - Vanguard Commission appointment (Bryan Moyer): Passed 5-0-1 (President Moyer abstained). - Approval of April 8, 2026 minutes: Passed (all ayes). - Electronic meter-reads (option one) with Johnson Block financing: Passed (unanimous). - Data Center Resolution #2026-01: Passed (unanimous). - Transportation Resolution #2026-02: Passed (unanimous). - Village contribution toward purchase of parcel #153/0806 171-6092-1: Passed (unanimous). - Invoices: Approved (unanimous). - Motion to enter closed session under Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(e): Passed (unanimous). - Motion to arise from closed session: Passed (unanimous). - Direction to research DNR resources and request an assessor review: Passed (unanimous).
Why it matters: The resolutions and operational approvals advance infrastructure and planning actions for Black Earth, including a meter‑reading modernization effort that includes outside financing and a planned parcel purchase tied to local EMS operations. The closed‑session direction signals continued staff work before any public land purchases or final decisions.
The board set its next meeting for June 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.; the meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
