Finance of the Whole Committee — Minutes

CITY OF MAYVILLE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE WHOLE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 6:00 PM 15 S SCHOOL ST 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 06:56 PM by Ald. Bob Smith, with the following roll call: Present: Ald. Tony DeBaker, Ald. Bob Smith, Ald. Molly Henkel, Ald. Mary Winter, Ald. Jason Buske. Excused: Ald. Kim Olson. Absent: None. Staff present: EMS Director Julie Staffin, Assistant EMS Director Devin Sellnow, DPW & Parks Director Jake Schellpfeffer, Library Director Bradford Ney, TAG Director Jessica Loomans, Cameron Sawyer with Elevated Municipal Consulting, and Clerk/Executive Assistant Anastasia Gonstead. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance. 3. CITIZEN COMMENTS None. 4. DISCUSS WITH POSSIBLE ACTION 4.1. Review of, and Recommendations for, the Proposed 2027 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Budget Cameron Sawyer of Elevated Municipal Consulting provided an overview of the proposed 2027 EMS budget. He explained that EMS is requesting two additional full-time staff positions, with both positions anticipated to be filled by January 1, 2027. Projected revenues have been adjusted slightly to account for potential economic challenges and maintain a conservative budget approach. Any net revenues would be allocated to the ambulance replacement fund, although some projected revenues will still be needed to support operating expenses. Sawyer also discussed the possibility of separating the EMS budget from the General Fund to improve clarity and ease of managing EMS operations. Additionally, discussion was held regarding a potential wage increase or call-volume-based stipend for the EMS Director and Assistant Director. The motion to defer the wages for the EMS Director and Assistant Director to another Finance of the Whole meeting and recommend the remainder of the proposed budget as presented was made by Ald. Smith and seconded by Ald. DeBaker. A roll vote was taken. Ayes: Ald. DeBaker, Ald. Smith, Ald. Henkel, Ald. Winter, Ald. Buske. Nays: None Vote Count: 5 - 0. Motion has Passed. 4.2. Review of, and Recommendations for, the Proposed 2027 Department of Public Works Budget DPW & Parks Director Schellpfeffer provided an overview of the proposed 2027 budgets for his departments, highlighting changes from the prior year. He noted that the budgets have remained relatively flat and expressed agreement with the budgets as presented. Cameron Sawyer provided additional explanation regarding the consolidation of certain budget items to improve clarity and ease of navigation. He noted that transportation aid revenue was higher than anticipated, the sidewalk upkeep program has been incorporated into the proposed budget, and funding has been included for upcoming dam repairs. The salt budget was reduced to better align with historical usage. Sawyer explained that several of these adjustments were made with the goal of reducing future borrowing needs. The motion to recommend the proposed 2027 Department of Public Works and Parks Departments budgets for approval and deferring the annual garbage and recycling rates was made by Ald. Winter and seconded by Ald. Buske. A roll vote was taken. Ayes: Ald. DeBaker, Ald. Smith, Ald. Henkel, Ald. Winter, Ald. Buske. Nays: None Vote Count: 5 - 0. Motion has Passed. Clerk/Executive Assistant Gonstead explained the 2027 garbage and recycling rates have now been obtained from GFL Environmental and will come to the Common Council via resolution for consideration and approval. 4.3. Review of, and Recommendations for, the Proposed 2027 Parks Department Budget This agenda item was handled under item 4.2, as the two departments are intertwined and overseen by the same Director. The motion to recommend the proposed 2027 Parks Department budget, as presented, was made by Ald. Henkel and seconded by Ald. Smith. Ayes: Ald. DeBaker, Ald. Smith, Ald. Henkel, Ald. Winter, Ald. Buske. Nays: None Vote Count: 5 - 0. Motion has Passed. 4.4. Review of, and Recommendations for, the Proposed 2027 Recreation Department Budget This agenda item was handled under agenda item 4.5, as the Recreation Department runs in tandem with the TAG Center. 4.5. Review of, and Recommendations for, the Proposed 2027 TAG Center Budget Cameron Sawyer provided an overview of the proposed 2027 TAG Center and Recreation Department budgets. Director Loomans was also present to answer questions. He recommended that elected officials review the 2026 year-to-date figures rather than the approved 2026 budget, as the year-to-date figures more accurately reflect actual operating needs and provide a better basis for evaluating the proposed 2027 budgets. The proposed budgets maintains the allocation of the TAG Director’s wages between the TAG Center and Recreation Department as reflected in the 2026 budgets. Sawyer noted that the Mayor would prefer to have the TAG Director’s wages allocated entirely to the TAG Center. Sawyer explained that the tax levy allocated to the TAG Center has not kept pace with increasing operational costs. He indicated that membership rates should be reviewed, while taking care to ensure any increases do not become cost-prohibitive for members. He also suggested approaching the Bachhuber Foundation to determine whether it would consider increasing its membership subsidy. Without additional subsidy support or other revenue increases, tax dollars would be needed to supplement operations. Sawyer noted that the proposed TAG Center budget reflects a deficit of $157,943. The body discussed revenues and asked questions regarding the proposed budget. Sawyer indicated that revenue assumptions could be deferred for further discussion but emphasized that the operating expenses reflect the costs necessary to run the facility. Ald. Smith stated that he would like to see the outcome of the meeting with the Bachhuber Foundation before determining how, or if, the discussion would affect projected revenues. Sawyer estimated that a 3%–5% membership rate increase could offset approximately $50,000 of the initial deficit. He further explained that a 15%–20% membership rate increase, combined with a potential increase in the Bachhuber Foundation’s subsidy, could substantially reduce the projected deficit. The motion to recommend the Recreation Department budget, as presented, to recommend the TAG expenses, as presented, and to defer the TAG revenues, with a legal review of the Bachhuber Foundation subsidy agreement with relation to the previously approved TAG membership split and models for potential membership increases, was made by Ald. Smith and seconded by Ald. DeBaker. A roll vote was taken. Ayes: Ald. DeBaker, Ald. Smith, Ald. Henkel, Ald. Winter, Ald. Buske. Nays: None Vote Count: 5 - 0. Motion has Passed. 5. ADJOURNMENT The motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Ald. Winter and seconded by Ald. Henkel. Ayes: Ald. DeBaker, Ald. Smith, Ald. Henkel, Ald. Winter, Ald. Buske. Nays: None Vote Count: 5 - 0 Motion has Passed. The Finance of the Whole Committee meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM. Respectfully submitted by Anastasia Gonstead - Clerk/Executive Assistant