Committee of the Whole Agenda & Packet (PDF)

CITY OF PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2026 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, IMMEDIATELY AFTER FINANCE & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 302 CITY HALL, 128 SMITH STREET AGENDA 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Approve the Minutes from July 14, 2026 3. Police Department Referendum Preview 4. Cemetery Ordinance 5. Adjourn It is likely a quorum of members of other governmental bodies of the municipality may be in attendance at the above stated me eting to gather information. No action will be taken by any governmental body at the above stated meeting other than the governmental body specifically referred to above in this notice. Please note that, upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appro priate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, please contact the City of Plymouth Clerk’s Office, located at Plymouth City Hall at 128 Smith St., Plymouth, WI or call (920) 893-1271. CITY OF PLYMOUTH, WISCONSIN TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING, 5:00 PM WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP) 625 COUNTY RD PP, 128 SMITH STREET UNOFFICIAL MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Roll Call: Mayor Pohlman called the meeting to order. On the call of the roll, the following were present: Angie Matzdorf, Diane Gilson, Mike Penkwitz, Dave Herrmann, Dana Haucke, Kevin Sande, and Jeff Tauscheck. Also present: City Administrator/Utilities Manager Tim Blakeslee, Assistant Administrator/Community Development Director Jack Johnston, Director of Public Works Cathy Austin, Electric Operation Manager Ryan Roehrborn, Waste Water Superintendent Tyler Wollersheim, and City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer Anna Voigt. 2. Tour and Discussion of Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP): Waste Water Superintendent Tyler Wollersheim gave staff and Council a tour of the Waste Water Treatment Plant. 3. Adjourn: Motion was made by Matzdorf/Tauscheck to adjourn the meeting. A unanimous aye vote was cast. Motion carried. City of Plymouth 128 Smith St. - P.O. Box 107 Plymouth, WI 53073-0107 Telephone: (920) 893-3745 Facsimile: (920) 893-0183 Web Site: plymouthgov.com DATE: August 7, 2026 TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Tim Blakeslee, City Administrator/Utilities Manager RE: Police Department Staffing and Referendum Resolution Background: The City of Plymouth has been evaluating public safety needs and potential funding options since earlier this year, including completion of a Public Safety Staffing Options Assessment in March and a community survey in April. The survey demonstrated that r esidents place a high priority on public safety services and indicated support for a referendum to fund additional police officers. As discussions have continued regarding Police Department staffing and a potential referendum, the City has also taken seriously feedback regarding affordability and the impact on property taxpayers. To balance the community’s preference for enhanced publi c safety services with the goal of limiting the tax impact, the proposal has been reduced from five additional police officers, related equipment, and wage adjustments at a potential referendum amount of $1.1 million, with an estimated annual impact of approximately $253 on the average homeowner, to three additional police officers, related equipment, and wage adjustments at a referendum amount of $600,000. The revised proposal is estimated to have an annual impact of approximately $137, or $11.41 per month, on an average residential property. Prior Discussion: At the May 26, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, Chief Ruggles presented additional information regarding Police Department staffing needs and statistics supporting the request for additional officers. Ehlers also presented information regarding the estimated cost and potential property tax impact of a referendum. At the June 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, the general direction to staff was to: 1. Proceed with consideration of adding Police Department staffing through a potential referendum. 2. Proceed with development of a referendum at $600,000. 3. Continue working with Mueller Communications to develop educational materials and support public education regarding a potential referendum. Revaluation: The City of Plymouth is currently undergoing a citywide revaluation process that is expected to be completed near the end of August. Preliminary information from the City’s assessor indicates that the average residential property value following revaluation will be approximately $300,000, compared to approximately $215,000 prior to the revaluation. While assessed property values will increase as a result of the revaluation, the corresponding tax rate will decrease. Based on the preliminary average residential value of $300,000, the estimated impact of the proposed $600,000 referendum would be approximately $137 per year, or approximately $11.41 per month, for an average- valued home. A more detailed breakdown is included in the chart below. The estimated impact is based on preliminary assessment information and may change slightly once the revaluation and final tax base are completed. The actual impact on an individual property will vary based on its assessed value. Next Steps: Attachment 1 includes the draft referendum resolution in the format required by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR). The proposed referendum would authorize an ongoing increase of $600,000 to the City’s annual levy beginning in 2027. The proposed bal lot language is as follows: “Under state law, the increase in the levy of the City of Plymouth for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2027, is limited to 2.046%, which results in a levy of $5,769,712. Shall the City of Plymouth be allowed to exceed this limit and increas e the levy for the next fiscal year, 2027, for the purpose of funding 3 additional police officers and related equipment and wage adjustments in the Police Department, by a total of 10.399%, which results in a levy of $6,369,712 and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $600,000 for each fiscal year going forward?” The DOR has reviewed the proposed language and indicated that it is acceptable as presented. Following direction from the Committee of the Whole, staff will finalize the resolution for consideration by the Common Council at its August 24, 2026 meeting. If approved, the required referendum materials must be submitted to Sheboygan County by August 25. Community Education: If the City proceeds with the referendum, staff will continue working with Mueller Communications on public education materials and informational sessions. Currently scheduled opportunities include: • September 22 at 6:00 p.m. – Public presentation in the Council Chambers. The presentation will be recorded and posted online. • October 8 at 11:00 a.m. – Public presentation in the EOC Room. • October 29 at 8:00 a.m. – Public presentation at Generations. • Staff will also provide presentations to local community organizations during September and October Recommendation: Discuss the proposed referendum resolution and provide direction regarding whether to proceed with placing the resolution on the August 24, 2026 Common Council agenda for consideration. CITY OF PLYMOUTH RESOLUTION _______ RESOLUTION OF COMMON COUNCIL EXERCISING REFERENDUM OPTION City of Plymouth, Sheboygan County Whereas, the State of Wisconsin has imposed limits on town, village, city and county property tax levies under Wis. Stat. sec. 66.0602; and Whereas, Wis. Stat. sec. 66.0602 limits the increase in 202 6 (to be collected in 2027) to the local property tax levy to no more than the greater of (a) 0% of last year's actual levy or (b) a percentage equal to the percentage change in equalized value due to new construction less improvements removed; which for the City of Plymouth is estimated to be 2.046%; and Whereas, the Common Council of the City of Plymouth, Sheboygan County believes it is in the City’s best interest to exceed the state levy limit as described above by a greater percentage than 2.046% for the purpose of funding 3 additional police officers and related equipment and wage adjustments in the Police Department; and Whereas, the City of Plymouth actual levy in 2025 (collected in 2026) was $5,645,556; and state law would limit the increase to $124,155 ($96,906 increase from net new construction plus a $ 56,188 increase in the debt service adjustment from the prior year , and a decrease of $28,939 for covered service adjustment) for a total allowable 2026 (collected in 2027) city tax levy of $5,769,712. Now, therefore the Common Council of the City of Plymouth, Sheboygan County does hereby resolve and order as follows: 1. The Common Council supports an increase in the City tax levy for 202 6 (to be collected in 2027) that will exceed the amount allowed by the state levy limit by 10.399 percent ($600,000÷ $5,769,712), which would increase the City levy by $600,000 for a total City tax levy (after adjustments) of $6,369,712. The requested increase would apply on an ongoing basis. 2. The Common Council directs that the question of increasing the allowable City tax levy for 2026 (to be collected in 2027) by 10.399 percent over 2026 allowable levy be put to referendum at an election on November 3, 2026. 3. The question shall be submitted to the electors as follows: “Under state law, the increase in the levy of the City of Plymouth for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2027, is limited to 2.046%, which results in a levy of $ 5,769,712. Shall the City of Plymouth be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2027, for the purpose of funding 3 additional police officers and related equipment and wage adjustments in the Police Department, by a total of 10.399%, which results in a levy of $ 6,369,712 and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $600,000 for each fiscal year going forward?” Adopted this 24th day of August 2026. Signature of Mayor: _____________________________ Attested by City Clerk: _____________________________ City of Plymouth 128 Smith St. - P.O. Box 107 Plymouth, WI 53073-0107 Telephone: (920) 893-3739 Facsimile: (920) 893-0183 Web Site: plymouthgov.com DATE: July 14, 2026 TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Sofia Russi-Amador, Administrative Intern RE: Discussion on Direction on Columbaria and Cemetery Fees Background: There was a recent citizen request to implement a 4- niche columbarium at the Forest Cemetery that was then approved by Council. Current code language requires Council approval for any application for a “mausoleum” or above ground resting places. • Any lot owner, desirous of constructing a mausoleum, in either of the city cemeteries shall apply for permission to the council. Staff is requesting the Committee of the Whole discuss amending the code so that staff may approve above ground resting places administratively rather than requiring council permission. Applicants would still need to follow the City’s monument size restrictions for any proposal as well as conform to the requirements of the Wisconsin State Board of Health for any above ground resting places. Updating Cemetery Fees: Additionally, staff requests the Committee of the Whole discuss updating cemetery fees and consider the costs of maintain the City’s two cemeteries . As observed, s urrounding municipalities charge higher prices for gravesites and columbaria, as well as opening fees for niches compared to the City of Plymouth, raising the question of if the City of Plymouth’s prices need to be raised to maintain cemeteries. Department of Public Works reports that it takes roughly 42 man hours to string trim the cemeteries here in Plymouth, and around 162 hours the rest of the year to seed graves. Recommendation: Staff requests that the Committee of the Whole discuss the following: • Amending municipal code so that applicants can be approved administratively if they satisfy code requirements for above ground resting places. • Evaluating the City’s current pricing on gravesites, using the attachment provided that includes surrounding municipality’s prices on gravesites. Attachments: • Columbaria and Niche Research in Surrounding Municipalities Surrounding Municipalities Grave and Cremation Fees Notes: • Sheboygan Falls is most similar to Plymouth in population • Internment (Burial) prices not included City Resident Fee for Grave Nonresident Fee for Grave Cremation Fee: Resident and Nonresident Plymouth $300 $600 $150, 300 Sheboygan Falls $600 $800 $400 Sheboygan $650 $650 $400 Cedarburg $750 N/A N/A Saukville $800 N/A $350 Stevens Point $850 $1,100 $650 Manitowoc $885 N/A $665 Eau Claire $1,081 N/A N/A Oak Creek $1,500 N/A N/A