Fennimore council tables 2025 budget, approves wage resolution and several purchases

The Common Council of the City of Fennimore on Dec. 16 tabled the public hearing and final adoption of the 2025 budget and tax levy, but approved a 2025 wage resolution for non‑union employees and several administrative and procurement actions.

At the start of the meeting Mayor Ryan Boebel called the session to order at 5:30 p.m. and the council approved the meeting notice and agenda after the City Clerk‑Treasurer presented proof of public posting under Section 19.84 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Why it matters: The council’s decision to table budget adoption postpones any formal tax‑levy action and keeps final budget and levy amounts unresolved. At the same meeting, the body approved pay changes for non‑union staff and authorized capital and operational expenditures that will affect city operations and short‑term cash flow.

The council approved Resolution 2024‑12‑16B, the 2025 wage resolution for non‑union employees, on a motion by Alder Adam, seconded by Alder Roth; the vote carried 6‑0. Council also voted to use up to $240,000 in General Obligation (GO) funds to purchase a dump/snow truck (motion Streif, second Adam; carried 6‑0) and approved contributing up to $5,500 toward a new copy machine while requesting an additional bid from Access Systems (motion Adam, second Roth; carried 6‑0).

On procurement, council awarded the 2025 fuel bid to New Horizons with pricing set at $0.10 over mark‑up over cost for no‑ethanol unleaded gasoline and premium diesel and $0.02 over mark‑up for transport loads (motion Streif, second Hagen; carried 6‑0).

The council approved payment of Chamber Bucks as a local employee benefit — $50 for full‑time employees and $25 for part‑time employees — on a motion by Alder Adam, seconded by Alder Roth (carried 6‑0). The 2025 Schedule of Fees was approved on Streif’s motion, seconded by Sheckler (carried 6‑0).

Personnel actions: Council moved into closed session at 6:14 p.m. to discuss employee contracts (motion Roth, second Hagen; carried 6‑0). After returning to open session at 6:19 p.m., the council approved contracts for the Director of Public Works, City Clerk‑Treasurer, Assistant Police Chief and Police Chief (motion Adam, second Streif; carried 6‑0). The council also voted to retain the Public Works Maintenance Worker through at least the end of January or until the position is filled (motion Adam, second Strack; carried 6‑0).

Finances recorded: Council approved claims dated Dec. 16, 2024 totaling $392,813.38 (City $84,746.26; Utility $293,244.23; Sewer $14,822.89) and recorded gross payrolls of $70,372.82 for the pay period ending Nov. 29, 2024 and $78,704.26 for the pay period ending Dec. 13, 2024 (motion Streif, second Sheckler; roll call 6‑0).

Other business: Consideration of Ordinance No. 2024‑12‑16C to repeal and recreate Chapter 7, and a zoning ordinance violation, were both tabled to a future meeting. The public hearing on the 2025 budget and the possible adoption of the 2025 budget and tax levy (Resolution 2024‑12‑16A) were also tabled; no final levy or budget amounts were adopted at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Approve proof of posting and agenda — motion Streif/Strack — carried 6‑0. - Approve operator license (Hunter Knotwell) and minutes (Nov. 18, 2024) — carried 6‑0. - Approve council claims totaling $392,813.38 and record payrolls — motion Streif/Sheckler — carried 6‑0. - Table public hearing and adoption of 2025 budget (Resolution 2024‑12‑16A) — tabled. - Approve 2025 wage resolution for non‑union employees (Resolution 2024‑12‑16B) — motion Adam/Roth — carried 6‑0. - Use up to $240,000 in GO funds to purchase dump/snow truck — motion Streif/Adam — carried 6‑0. - Approve Chamber Bucks ($50 full‑time/$25 part‑time) — motion Adam/Roth — carried 6‑0. - Approve up to $5,500 toward copy machine and request another bid — motion Adam/Roth — carried 6‑0. - Award 2025 fuel bid to New Horizons with specified mark‑up terms — motion Streif/Hagen — carried 6‑0. - Table Ordinance No. 2024‑12‑16C (Chapter 7) — tabled. - Approve 2025 Schedule of Fees — motion Streif/Sheckler — carried 6‑0. - Move into closed session to discuss employee contracts — motion Roth/Hagen — carried 6‑0; return to open session and approve contracts (Director of Public Works, City Clerk‑Treasurer, Assistant Police Chief, Police Chief) — motion Adam/Streif — carried 6‑0. - Retain Public Works Maintenance Worker through end of January or until filled — motion Adam/Strack — carried 6‑0.

The council adjourned at 6:31 p.m. and the minutes were signed by City Clerk‑Treasurer Ashley Edge and Mayor Ryan Boebel.