Annual Meeting of the Electors — Agenda packet

Annual Meeting Resident Guide to Meeting Process and Procedures Welcome to the Town Annual Meeting. This meeting allows electors of the town to discuss town business and vote on certain matters. The following guide explains how the meeting will proceed and how residents may participate. Residents Participation in Motions Eligible Voters (Electors) Only qualified town electors may vote on motions. To be an elector you must: • Be 18 years of age or older • Be a U.S. citizen • Have resided in the Town for at least 10 days Residents must sign in before participating in votes. Making a Motion • Raise hand or be recognized by Chair to make motion • State your motion: “I motion that…” Seconding a Motion Another elector must say: “I second the motion.” *A second does not mean they necessarily agree with your motion, just that they agree it should have discussion. Discussion • Wait to be recognized by Chair • Speak respectfully • Stay on topic • Keep comments brief Amendments A motion may be amended by: “I move to amend the motion…” This requires a second, discussion, and vote. Voting Voting may occur by voice vote, show of hands, standing vote or written ballot Only qualified electors may vote. All decisions are made by majority vote of electors present. Meeting Agenda Guideline TOWN ANNUAL REPORT Municipal Overview Report: The Town Clerk-Treasurer presents the annual municipal overview and annual financial report. Residents may ask questions. Public Recommendations to the Board: Residents may introduce items allowed under Wisconsin law. Electors primarily decide on taxes, spending, major purchases, and giving direction to the Town Board. What Electors Generally CAN Do at Annual Meetings: • Setting Annual Meeting Date • Address any unfinished business from the prior Annual Meeting • Authorizing the Town Board to purchase land • Authorizing the Town Board to borrow money • Setting elected official salaries • Authorizing the sale of town property • Establishing advisory committees • Other matters permitted by statute • Set Town Tax Levy • Advisory Motions (recommendations to the Town Board) What Electors Generally CANNOT Do at Annual Meeting • Pass or change ordinances • Make day-to-day administrative decisions • Direct actions that conflict with state law • Take actions already delegated exclusively to the Town Board • Zoning Decisions Key Takeaway Electors make decisions on major financial and policy matters, while the Town Board handles ordinances, operations, and legal processes. Handling Complex Topics The goal is to make informed decisions while ensuring compliance with laws and ordinances. Some topics may require additional review before elector’s vote, such as: • Conflicts with existing ordinances • Legal interpretation • Additional financial review • Verification of prior policies or ordinances Information Provided The Town Board or Clerk may explain background information, legal concerns, or recommendations. Example: “This topic may conflict with an existing ordinance. The Board recommends reviewing with the Town Attorney before voting.” Electors Decide Next Steps Only electors can decide whether to move forward, delay action, or refer the topic for further review. Table the Motion Temporarily postpones discussion or decision. Example: “I move to table this item until more information is available.” This requires a second and majority vote. Refer to Board or Committee Sends the topic to the Town Board or a committee for review. Example: “I move to refer this item to the Town Board for review and report back at a later meeting.” This is commonly used when legal review by the Town Attorney or additional financial information is needed. Vote When Ready Once enough information is available, electors may vote on the motion. If a topic is tabled or referred for further review, it will be brought back to the electors at a later meeting once the requested information or legal advice is available. The Clerk will provide proper notice of that meeting. TOWN of RIVER FALLS ANNUAL MEETING Tuesday, April 21, 2026, River Falls Town Hall 7:00 P.M. The following River Falls Town Annual Meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the River Falls Town Hall, W9015 770th Ave. AGENDA Call to order Roll Call Consider for approval or other action: 1. Approval of 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes 2. 2025 Financial Review 3. Department and Committee Reports a. Town Roads b. Recycling Center c. Zoning & Building Permit/Building Inspection Program d. Cemetery e. Parks & Recreation f. Rural Fire Association g. Other Information/ Committees 4. Public Recommendations to the Board 5. Set 2027 Annual Meeting Date 6. Adjourn Action may be taken on any agenda item. This agenda is subject to change. Some agenda items may be taken up earlier in the meeting, or in a different order than listed. The posted notice at the Town Hall is the primary notice. Meeting notice posted on the Town’s website www.riverfallstown.com, and at the River Falls Town Hall, W9015 770th Avenue, River Falls, WI. Anyone wishing to attend the meeting who requires special accommodation because of a disability should contact the Clerk’s office, at 715-629-8240 or email clerk@riverfallstown.com, at least 72 hours before the meeting begins so that appropriate accommodations can be made. Sarah Meyer, Clerk TOWN OF RIVER FALLS – ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Tuesday, April 15, 2025, River Falls Town Hall Elected officials and staff present: Diana Smith, Chair; Siri Smith, John Galgowski, Joe Mahoney, Brad Mogen, Supervisors; Jerome Rodewald, Don Rodewald, Zoning Administration; Rita Kozak, Treasurer; Sarah Meyer, Clerk. Others present: Dean Bergseng, Terry Kusilek, Greg Elliot, Art Smith, Peter Stern, Mary Merta, Rob Schaar, David Gregg, Tami Gregg, Wendy DiPeso, Greg Smith, Mary Foster, John Oliver, Patrick Singel, Linda Singel, Kristin Nyquist, Marcella Rodewald, Ruth Stern, Kim Mogen, Maureen Ash The meeting was called to order by Chair Diana Smith at 7:02pm. Chair Smith presented the minutes from the April 2024 Annual Meeting. Joe Mahoney moved to approve the minutes of the 2024 Annual Meeting Minutes. John Galgowski seconded. M.C. 2024 Income and Expenditures: Rita Kozak presented the revenues from 2024. Total revenues for 2024 were $4,066,543.71. Sarah Meyer presented the expenditures from 2024. Total expenditures for 2024 were $4,111,354.45, which was 0.66% less than in 2023. Town Road Report: Diana Smith shared updates from the Roads Department. The Town hired Dalton Flick in June. Thouuhout the process, the town updated their hiring policies and job descriptions. Working on 770th Avenue was completed in 2024 and was celebrated with a picnic for those involved. Brad Mogen and Don Rodewald completed the small bridge and culvert inventory. The town also continued to complete a lot of tree work in road right of ways. In 2025, the main project will be on 850th Street. Recycling Center Report: Rita Kozak presented the 2024 Recycling report and historical data. Zoning & Building Permit/Building Inspection Program: Don Rodewald, Zoning Administrator, shared the Annual Zoning Program Report. Cemetery Report: Jerome Rodewald, Cemetery Committee Chair, provided a report of the activities of the Cemetery Committee in 2024. Parks and Recreation: John Galgowski, member of the Parks and Recreation Committee presented about the activities of the committee. At South Valley, trees have been planted and the disc golf course is still there but the the area is mostly used to walk dogs. Halverson Park will soon have a new bridge, closer to the road, which will be a good link over to the other side of the stream and the new land. A beaver dam removed during the April work day. At Hillside Park, Mark Anderson continues to mow. There is an issue with mountain bikes causing damage to the trail when it’s wet. The committee would like to restore Hillside park land back to a prairie. The Committee is working to hire prisoners from St. Croix County work group to work in South Ride Park to cut and burn brush. The group is working to restore a trail to the top of the hill at Birch Cliff park. Anderson park has trees growing and a circular path that gets mowed. There are currently no plans to replace the bridge at Rocky Branch. This park gets a lot of use with connections to school forest, Kinni River Land Trust, and City park. Rural Fire Association Report: The whole year of 2024 was spent trying to negotiate a new contract with the City of River Falls. The Annual Meeting of the Rural Fire Association will be held Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Other Information/Reports: Siri Smith shared that the Comprehensive Plan was completely updated in 2024. She recognized the work of the committee members that contributed to the process and shared the vision statement. On behalf of the Town Board, Siri also recognized outgoing supervisor John Galgowski and town chair Diana Smith. She thanked them for their years of service and presented them with cards and certificates. Diana Smith gave a thank you to the town board, staff, committees, and residents for their help during her time as town chair. John Galgowski gave a thank you and recognition to Art Smith for his support of Diana and the Town Board. Set 2026 Annual Meeting Date: Joe Mahoney moved that the 2026 Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 7:00pm at the River Falls Town Hall. Public Recommendations to the Board Jerome requested that the Board work on gaining access to Mt. Zion Cemetery. He also a long range roads plan that looks at putting hiking and biking trails along Happy Valley Road to increase safety. Jerome’s third request of the Board was that they review the use of the town hall and town hall acreage. Mary Merta would like the Board to consider moving the start time of the Board meetings earlier to encourage more involvement. Maureen Ash would like a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation ordinance to be reviewed and created. Diana Smith replied that the Plan Commission is currently working on this. Tami Gregg said thank you to friends and neighbors who serve on the board and committees. Dean Bergseng shared his appreciation the work of the Board and staff. Joe Mahoney moved to adjourn. John Galgowski seconded. M.C Meeting adjourned at 8:13pm. 2025 Amount 2024 Amount 2023 Amount TAXES Property Tax Collections $3,634,669.06 3,244,072.67 $3,283,961.56 Personal Property Taxes Collected by Pierce County $0.00 1,851.07 $1,869.82 Forest Crop/MFL Taxes collected by Pierce County $15,495.76 14,298.72 $14,546.35 Special Charges collected by Pierce Co. $800.00 800.00 $800.00 Personal Property collected after tax settlement $142.76 342.12 $462.02 August Settlement $302,064.70 278,325.70 $291,976.47 Lottery Credit $23,602.15 26,114.09 $25,226.50 DNR-In Lieu of Taxes $17,401.06 15,789.15 $18,206.06 Other MFL/FC Payments After Tax Collection $418.27 8,996.12 $4,080.84 Interest on Delinquent Taxes $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Prior Year Special Charges & Interest $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Tax Chargeback $5,403.03 0.00 $0.00 $3,999,996.79 3,590,589.64 $3,641,129.62 Intergovernmental Revenue State Shared Revenue $97,459.66 95,318.67 $28,125.16 State Shared Revenue - Utility Aid $348.98 1,169.85 $1,041.87 Personal Property Aid Payment from State $1,068.73 1,068.73 $1,068.73 Fire Insurance Dues (2% payment) $16,817.60 15,006.80 $13,276.49 General Transportation Aids $164,094.68 164,094.68 $164,095.68 Shared Bridge Revenue $0.00 22,266.24 $0.00 Recycling Grant $6,403.77 6,431.36 $6,357.73 State Computer Aids $51.97 51.97 $51.97 Soldiers Graves $0.00 15.00 $15.00 Municipal Services Payment $41.19 46.30 $44.94 ARPA Grant Funds $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Annexation Payments $2,432.74 4,003.99 $4,003.99 Election Audit Grant $0.00 613.15 $0.00 LRIP Grant $24,622.92 0.00 $0.00 Other $2,600.00 $315,942.24 310,086.74 $218,081.56 2025 Annual Report of Revenues Licenses & Permits Dog Licenses $1,405.00 1,558.00 $1,730.00 Dog License Refund from Pierce County $659.65 634.94 $604.66 DW Inspection, Tran of Dwel Site&Building Inspection Fees $825.00 825.00 $1,255.00 Building Permit Fees $2,020.00 9,665.00 $9,710.00 Impact Fees Collected $2,597.40 14,285.70 $5,194.80 Board of Appeals Fees $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Rezoning Requests $700.00 0.00 $0.00 CSM Fees $775.00 2,525.00 $700.00 Conditional Use Permits $720.00 300.00 $600.00 Other Licenses & Permits $11,350.00 11,350.00 $11,350.00 Cable Franchise Fees $755.52 826.08 $878.44 $21,807.57 41,969.72 $32,022.90 Forfeitures & Fines Building Permit Fines $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Other Fines (Dog Violations) $130.82 437.68 $390.15 $130.82 437.68 $390.15 Public Charges for Services Machine Hire/Culverts $9.00 0.00 $4,053.50 Salt/Sand Sales $0.00 130.00 $1,664.00 Tax collected on private work $0.00 0.00 $32.43 Fire Calls $9,659.13 16,680.17 $11,062.55 Fire Inspection Fees $1,850.00 550.00 $850.00 Recycling Center Income $66,908.46 64,648.39 $63,863.15 Fence Reviews $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Cemetery Plots $3,200.00 7,700.00 $1,400.00 Land Rental Payment $1,200.00 1,200.00 $1,200.00 $82,826.59 90,908.56 $84,125.63 Overpayments & Refunds Gas Tax Refund $1,201.39 0.00 $411.59 Insurance/Workman's Compensation Refunds $0.00 1,478.89 $77,330.91 Capital Coop Credits $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Payroll Adjustments $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Miscellaneous Refunds $5,014.00 124.03 $1,670.27 US Bank Rebates $480.81 Overpayments $2,300.94 700.00 $1,141.32 $8,997.14 2,302.92 $80,554.09 Miscellaneous Income Interest on CD's $3,120.65 15,719.55 $2,062.02 Interest on Money Markets $14,115.44 11,908.90 $13,347.41 Interest on Equity Account $8,404.64 Prairie Enthusiast Donations $0.00 500.00 $0.00 Copy Charges $0.00 0.00 $0.00 CD Transfer into Money Market $0.00 0.00 $0.00 Sale of Town Property/Trade Ins $694.20 0.00 $200.00 $26,334.93 28,128.45 $15,609.43 Loan Income Highway Loan $300,000.00 0.00 $0.00 TOTAL REVENUE $4,756,036.08 4,064,423.71 $4,071,913.38 2025 TOWN EXPENSES 2025 Amount 2024 Amount % change Tax Settlements/Payments to Other Taxing Entities State & County Tax Settlements $1,029,420.39 $974,208.31 5.67 Ellsworth School District $36,757.77 $30,261.24 21.47 River Falls School District $1,829,547.30 $1,570,277.43 16.51 Chippewa Valley Technical College $176,403.21 $160,625.41 9.82 Tax Paybacks to Pierce County $0.00 $0.00 0.00 DNR - Lieu Tax Paid Out $14,691.54 $8,565.24 71.53 State Forestry Programs (20% to Pierce County) $83.66 $1,541.68 -94.57 Sales Tax - to DOR $0.00 $108.61 -100.00 Dog Licensing Payments to Pierce County $691.00 $801.00 -13.73 Assessment on Manufacturing Property $0.00 $49.84 -100.00 Interest on Delinquent Taxes $0.00 $0.00 0.00 DOR Business Tax Registration $0.00 $10.00 -100.00 Personal Property Tax Refund $0.00 $0.00 0.00 Cemetery Road Annexation Repayment $0.00 $7,275.11 -100.00 $3,087,594.87 $2,753,723.87 12.12 General Government Board - Salary, Mileage, Training $44,116.69 $41,183.04 7.12 Association Dues $2,320.03 $2,195.00 5.70 Printing & Publication Fees $5,134.01 $1,878.15 173.35 Insurance $16,896.00 $14,158.00 19.34 Town Legal Fees $1,054.50 $900.00 17.17 Town Engineering Fees $0.00 $0.00 0.00 Clerk Salary & Payroll Expense $58,278.09 $55,928.56 4.20 Office Supplies/Phone/Fax/Website/Postage $12,101.14 $6,743.05 79.46 Elections $16,529.75 $10,065.46 64.22 Treasurer Salary & Payroll Expense $15,089.49 $15,951.96 -5.41 Pierce Co. Tax Collections $2,520.74 $2,618.71 -3.74 Assessing Expenses $8,500.00 $8,400.00 1.19 Town Hall Utilities & Maintenance $7,065.29 $5,208.32 35.65 $189,605.73 $165,230.25 14.75 Public Safety Law Enforcement $0.00 $0.00 0.00 Fire Protection Base Fee $59,940.00 $59,520.00 0.71 Fire Calls $11,058.56 $19,846.36 -44.28 Fire Inspections $1,100.00 $1,000.00 10.00 Fire Insurance Dues (2% payment) $16,817.60 $15,006.80 12.07 Ambulance $26,604.00 $26,014.50 2.27 $115,520.16 $121,387.66 -4.83 Public Works - Roads Road Materials $377,375.02 $513,226.98 -26.47 Roads - Tree Removal $29,449.50 $40,529.06 -27.34 Culverts $3,481.23 $3,450.00 0.91 Salt/Sand $6,941.08 $14,919.07 -53.48 Bridges $2,600.00 $0.00 -100.00 Signs $6,904.65 $2,051.75 236.52 Fuel & Oil $21,173.60 $20,290.81 4.35 Supplies & Repairs $17,638.85 $56,818.52 -68.96 Labor & Uniforms $237,471.89 $211,474.87 12.29 Town Shop Expense $3,299.81 $4,203.44 -21.50 Highway Equipment $401,428.87 $16,215.00 2375.66 Miscellaneous Highway $239.99 $333.64 -28.07 $1,108,004.49 $883,513.14 25.41 Public Works - Recycling Recycling Container Rental $434.92 $419.52 3.67 Solid Waste Pick-ups $29,339.56 $27,691.03 5.95 Recycling Center Labor $29,471.51 $30,740.51 -4.13 Recycling Center General Expense $11,286.15 $9,567.06 17.97 $70,532.14 $68,418.12 3.09 Health & Human Services Animal Control $819.10 $1,337.50 -38.76 Cemeteries $4,487.50 $807.24 455.91 $5,306.60 $2,144.74 147.42 Parks & Recreation Parks Maintenance & Development $6,628.62 $1,302.60 408.88 Conservation & Development Zoning Administrator Salary $7,933.62 $8,706.71 -8.88 Zoning Administrator Expense $3,347.80 $11,640.74 -71.24 Town Code Book Project/Minutes $0.00 $575.00 -100.00 Comprehensive Plan $0.00 $5,780.06 Payments to Committee Members/Notices $11,943.05 $4,587.62 160.33 $23,224.47 $31,290.13 -25.78 Road Loan Repayment $79,129.18 $77,188.12 2.51 Road Loan Interest $2,214.76 $4,155.82 -46.71 Transfers out to Savings/CD $10,000.00 $3,000.00 233.33 TOTAL EXPENSE $4,697,761.02 $4,111,354.45 14.26 CHECKING ACCOUNT $20,333.67 FNBRF MONEY MARKET $649,093.96 DESIGNATED FUNDS IN MM ($44,937.00) Highway Equip't ($40,000.00) Capital Outlay MONEY MARKET AVAILABLE $584,490.63 ROYAL CREDIT UNION $25.26 Business Savings $330,325.18 Entity Account ($20,688.44) Revaluation OPEN NEW ACCOUNT $0.00 Impact Fees RCU AVAILABLE $309,662.00 TOTAL AT BOTH BANKS $894,152.63 RECOMMENDED RESERVE ($503,756.00) AVAILABLE FUNDS $390,396.63 2025 Total Revenues $4,756,036.08 2025 Total Expenses ($4,697,761.02) Surplus/Deficit $58,275.06 2025 Year End Bank Balances Chair: Diana Smith/Terry Kusilek Supervisor 1: John Galgowski/Mary Foster Supervisor 2: Siri Smith Supervisor 3: Joe Mahoney Supervisor 4: Brad Mogen Treasurer: Rita Kozak Clerk: Sarah Meyer The Town of River Falls is a rural and agricultural community that values our quality of life. We recognize the importance of a clean environment, neighborliness, and responsible use of resources. Our town has a history of farming and careful land use, and we wish to preserve this heritage while allowing for well-planned growth into the future. A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 5 T o w n B o a r d & E l e c t e d O f f i c i a l s T o w n o f R i v e r F a l l s V i s i o n S t a t e m e n t E c o n o m i c I n s i g h t s : 2025 estimated population: 2,217 Transitioned to New Town Chair and Supervisor 1 144,911 Facebook views in 2025. Top posts: Storm Update (posted 9/22, 9k views) Tax Payment Postage Update (posted 12/17, 7.8k views) 10/6 Meeting Agendas (posted 10/2, 7.4k views) Completed a review and update to town policies Revamped budget timeline and process Installed water filter at town hall Sarah completed year 3 (of 3) of the UW-Green Bay Clerk Institute 2025 Town of River Falls w w w . r i v e r f a l l s t o w n . c o m T o w n H a l l : 7 1 5 - 6 2 9 - 8 2 4 0 W 9 0 1 5 7 7 0 A v e , R i v e r F a l l s t h Board and Officials at the 2024 Annual Meeting Ordinances and Resolutions Resolution 2025 – A: A Resolution Approving the Pierce County Multi-Hazards Mitigation Plan Resolution 2025 – B: A Resolution to Borrow Funds from the Trust Funds of the State of Wisconsin for the Purpose of Financing the Purchase of a Snowplow Zero Ordinance updates in 2025 - started the review process to make needed updates P l a n C o m m i s s i o n M e e t i n g D e c 2 0 2 5 ROADS DEPARTMENT 2025 Permit Snapshot 2025 Highlights New building inspector contract with TF Inspection Agency Started conditional use permit directory and review Updated website 288 Zoning Administrator hours worked 1,091 miles driven 9 Ag Storage Buildings 10 Dwelling Alterations or remodels 4 Dwelling Replacement 2 Rezone Approvals 2 Certified Survey Map approvals Many others! $7,397,014 worth of projects 2025 Highlights Full inventory of 6-20 foot structures New tractor purchase ($160,000) New truck chassis purchase ($315,000) Completed 4,900 feet of 850th St. north of Highway 29 ($373,000) ¼ mile of chip seal on 710 Aveth 80 ton of blade patching material laid down on various roads 90 ton (30 trailer loads) of hand patching completed 2 employees: Rob Schaar & Dalton Flick 4,032 hours worked plus 808 hours of overtime PLAN COMMISSION AND ZONING Plan Commission Members: John Oliver, Terry Kusilek (Chair), Kristin Nyquist, Pat Singel, Kurt Leichtle, Marty Ruemmele, Siri Smith Sub Committees Created: Impact Fees Extra Territorial Zoning Ordinance Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Ordinance Roads Committee Members Brad Mogen (Chair) Cole Hanson Don Rodewald Peter Stern Terry Kusilek 8 meetings in 2025 Zoning Administrator: Don Rodewald RECYCLING Greg Smith Joe Mahoney (Chair) John Stark Kristin Nyquist Rita Kozak 2025 Highlights 2025 Recycling Committee 6 Committee Meetings 1571 employee hours $1,177 spent in employee lunches Started process to implement non-resident fees Employees: Albert Dohrer, Chris Fristad, Garrett Gill, Kaleb Johnson, Mary Merta, Kristin Nyquist 64 Accepted Items Fast Facts 294 47 53 34 257 18 19 ELECTIONS Brad LaBadie Garrett Gill (Chair) Gregg Elliot John Kucinski Mary Foster Sue Bushard PARKS 2025 Highlights 2025 Parks Committee 9 meetings 105.5 work hours completed by committee members Hired day laborers from New Richmond Correctional Facility to assist in brush removal Lions Club and Parks Committee members worked on 10/18/25 to clear trail at Halverson Park Major 2025 focus was on clearing brush at Birch Cliff Park April 1, 2025 1,205 voters Beat our previous April record by 296 voters ~70.8% voter turnout 14 Election Inspectors and 2 Chiefs covered 2 shifts (16+ hours of coverage) Terry Kusilek and Mary Foster were elected to the Town Board February 18, 2025 252 voters 81 absentees sent, 52 returned ~14.8% voter turnout 11 Election Inspectors and 2 Chiefs covered 2 shifts LEVY DISTRIBUTION CEMETERY 2025 Projects and Accomplishments New Tractor purchase (split with Parks) Updated Cemetery Rules and Contract Worked on Gaining Access to Mt. Zion Cemetery 4 meetings 2025 Cemetery Committee Brad Mogen Don Rodewald Elizabeth Terlinden Garrett Gill Jerome Rodewald (Chair) Peggy Jensen Scott Jensen River Falls Rural Fire Association Updates 16 Fire calls $12,274.24 paid to RFRFA 20-year contract signed for fire protection (2027 - 2046) Chair Terry Kusilek is the Town’s representative RF RURAL FIRE ASSOCIATION