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Jefferson council approves lift-station cost‑share, fireworks contract and hires fleet manager
Summary
At its Jan. 7 meeting the Jefferson Common Council unanimously approved a $1.1M sanitary sewer lift‑station cost‑share with Jefferson County, authorized a $20,000 July 3 fireworks contract with a $14,000 sponsorship, created a Fleet Manager/Chief Mechanic position and hired Jeff Scherer at $36/hour.
The City of Jefferson Common Council met Jan. 7, 2025, and unanimously approved a set of resolutions covering economic development infrastructure, a large community event and personnel changes.
Mayor Oppermann called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the council first approved three mayoral appointments — Mary Truman and Brandon Leeder to the Plan Commission and Marj Kutsche to the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Commission — on a motion by Ald. Schroeder, seconded by Ald. Mattke. The council then adopted the consent agenda by roll-call vote, which included vouchers payable of $448,506.94, December manuals of $50,040.00, payroll summaries for Dec. 13 and Dec. 27, 2024 of $297,674.21 and $217,333.78, respectively, council minutes from Dec. 17, 2024, a 2026 911 joint powers agreement and several licenses (operator and tobacco licenses including Rock River Wellness, LLC).
On Resolution No. 97 the council approved a cost‑share agreement with Jefferson County to construct a sanitary sewer lift station to serve the Jefferson Food and Beverage Innovation Campus. The project’s total cost is estimated at $1,100,000; the County’s share is $450,000 plus interest determined by the interest rate on the City’s general obligation bond issuance that will finance the improvement. The resolution authorizes the City Administrator to execute the agreement subject to review and approval by the City Attorney. Ald. Schroeder introduced the resolution; it passed unanimously.
The council also adopted Resolution No. 98 to authorize a fireworks contract for the city’s July 3 display. The contract with Chrome Fireworks & Displays totals $20,000 and requires a $5,000 deposit; Festival Foods will provide a $14,000 sponsorship to be applied to the cost. The Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director proposed staging the display near Pitzner Parkway and Spangler Road with parking provided by the Jefferson County Fair Park; the community event will be free to the public. Ald. Obernberger introduced the resolution and the council approved it unanimously.
In personnel matters the council first created a Fleet Manager/Chief Mechanic position by adopting Resolution No. 99. The new position is classified at Grade 8 of the city’s compensation plan following a review and recommendation from Cottingham & Butler. Ald. Neils introduced the resolution and it was approved unanimously.
Following that action the council adopted Resolution No. 100 to hire Jeff Scherer as Fleet Manager/Chief Mechanic. The resolution moves Scherer to Grade 8, Step 6 (merit) at $36.00 per hour, effective Jan. 1, 2025; the hire was recommended by the Director of Public Works and the Personnel Committee. Ald. Tully moved the resolution, Ald. Beyer seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
The council took the required closed‑session action under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(1)(c) to consider personnel matters related to the hire, then returned to open session. Ald. Mattke moved to adjourn and, on a second by Ald. Neils, the council adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
The City Administrator is authorized to execute the cost‑share agreement with Jefferson County after City Attorney review; the fireworks contract will be executed by the Administrator and funded in part by a Festival Foods sponsorship with the remaining balance charged to the Civic Promotion Subsidy appropriation. No further actions or contested votes were recorded in the minutes.
