Joint Review Board reviews draft amendments to Slinger TIDs; schedules final vote for Aug. 14

The Joint Review Board for the Village of Slinger met July 16, 2025 at the Village of Slinger Municipal Building to consider draft project-plan amendments for Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs) #4 and #8 and to review the Village’s annual TID reports. Washington County Chief Administrative Officer Aaron Daul chaired the meeting after a motion to appoint him carried unanimously.

Harry Allen of Ehlers Financial outlined two proposed amendments. The first would permit TID #4 to transfer excess increment to TID #6 to help fund a downtown redevelopment project; Allen said TID #6, designated a rehabilitation district, is not expected to generate sufficient increment on its own and that the transfer could require TID #4 to remain open until about 2036 (its current obligations could be paid by 2030). Administrator Margaret Wilber said the Village has long identified the Village-owned parcel at 119 Kettle Moraine Drive South as a priority for downtown revitalization following UW‑Extension visioning sessions and work with Vandewalle & Associates.

Developer Scott Ritger presented concept drawings for the 119 Kettle Moraine Drive South site, describing a mixed-use redevelopment that would create nine townhouse units, roughly 30 apartments and ground-floor commercial space. Ritger noted steep grade challenges at the site and said he has agreements with neighboring property owners to add adjacent parcels to expand the buildable area.

The second amendment under discussion would change boundaries for TID #8 by moving certain parcels from TID #4 into TID #8, Allen said. That transfer would extend the period during which project costs could be funded — roughly eight additional years — and support infrastructure such as an extension of Hetzel Way to connect with Hillside Road, providing a second access point for the development. Allen added that adjusted projected costs and the added increment from the transferred parcels could allow TID #8 to close earlier than currently projected because the additional increment would help support debt service and other costs.

Wilber presented the Village’s Annual PE‑300 reports and related auditors’ compilations and project-status documents, as required by Wis. Stat. §66.1105(2m)(f), saying each district is performing satisfactorily though some 2024 values were adjusted downward after 2023 estimates were updated to actual values. She reported TID #4 is largely built out except for two vacant parcels and noted a new public walking path along the Stonefield Terrace property completed in early 2025. Wilber said TID #5 and TID #7 remain largely focused on administering recapture payments tied to developer agreements that supported E.H. Wolf’s expansion and MBW’s research and training facility, respectively.

Wilber also updated the Board on the redevelopment of the former Niphos property at 308 Oak Street, reporting Washington County remediation of hazardous materials is nearing completion and that the site will return to the tax roll with four condominium units expected to be marketed soon. She said Fireside Market in TID #8 is expected to open before Labor Day and that another parcel has been sold to a manufacturing firm.

Allen explained no Joint Review Board motion was necessary at the introductory stage; the Village Planning Commission will hold public hearings on the amendments and the Village Board will consider resolutions. If both bodies adopt resolutions, the Joint Review Board will be asked to act at a later meeting. Board members agreed to meet at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 to consider approval of the amendments; Ms. Wendt said she would arrange alternate Moraine Park representation if needed. The Board adjourned at 1:38 p.m. following a motion by Dean Otte and second by Debra Selle that carried unanimously.