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Port Edwards board approves TIF borrowing, grant match and three summer hires
Summary
The Port Edwards Village Board approved three formal measures during its meeting: a TIF/TID loan from the Port Edwards Water Utility to finish the 2nd Street project, a certification of matching funds to pursue a roughly $1.7 million grant, and hiring three summer public-works employees; all motions carried unanimously.
The Port Edwards Village Board voted to authorize short-term borrowing from the Port Edwards Water Utility to finish the 2nd Street project, certified matching funds for a roughly $1.7 million grant application, and approved hiring three summer public-works employees.
Trustee Radke moved the first major action, resolution 2026-05, asking the board to allow the water utility to lend funds so the street project could be completed this construction season. Ben, a public-works staff member, told trustees the aging water main is ductile iron from the 1960s and that the village already experienced two water breaks on 2nd Street; he said the water utility has funds available and that TIF increments would repay the utility over time.
"The waterline is from the sixties… we had 2 watering breaks on the 2nd Street," Ben said, explaining the urgency to complete the work this year.
The board approved resolution 2026-05 on a voice vote; the chair called the motion carried.
Shortly afterward, trustees approved resolution 2026-06 to certify that the village can provide matching funds for a grant application staff plans to submit in mid-May. Staff described a project priced at about $1,700,000 and reported the village portion listed in the packet as "538" (figure provided in packet). Ben said securing the board’s certification would let staff start the grant application; if awarded, the board would return with a formal acceptance motion and final financing details.
Trustee Radke then moved to hire three summer-help employees for the public-works crew. The packet estimated the budget difference between hiring two and three summer employees at roughly $5,000 (packet figures listed 19,000 vs 24,000). Trustee Radke said the hires are budgeted and necessary for parks and seasonal work; the board approved the hires by voice vote.
The board also approved the routine consent agenda (minutes and monthly bills) earlier in the meeting.
What comes next: staff said the grant application decision would likely be known in June or July, at which point the board would be asked to accept any award and confirm final financing. The water-utility loan will be repaid from TIF increments as described by staff.
