12/01/2025

SPECIAL COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS December 1st, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Special Meeting Mayor Hauser, Presiding Present: Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Administrator Morelan; City Clerk-Treasurer, Witte Absent: Morris The budget hearing was called to order at 6:00 p.m. No members of the public were present to speak on the proposed 2026 budgets. Council Member Sendelbach moved to close the hearing at 6:02 p.m. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The special council meeting was then called to order. The agenda included a closed session for the purpose of discussing 2026 employee wages and benefits. By unanimous consent members of the Council chose not to enter into a closed session. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve 2026 hourly wages as listed below. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Electric Superintendent $62.75 Lineman $56.25 Director of Public Works $35.75 Assistant Public Works Director $32.00 Operator 1 $26.00 Operator 2 $25.00 Laborer (part-time) $17.00 Brush Site Attendant $13.50 Police Officer (full-time) $32.20 Police Officer (probationary) $30.20 Police Officer (part-time) $26.00 Clerk-Treasurer $36.00 + $3.00 per hour for Administrator assistance Deputy Clerk-Treasurer $28.50 Council Member Mathson moved to approve the 2026 employer contribution for group health insurance to 82% and the employee contribution to 18%. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2026 Electric Utility Budget. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The Whitehall Electric Utility has applied for a rate increase from the Public Service Commission. The last increase was in 2017. 2026 budgeted revenues do not reflect an increase in rates. The Electric Utility will purchase the 2019 Ford pickup from the Sewer Utility. Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2026 Water Utility Budget. Council Member Sunday seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The Water Utility will continue moving forward with improvements to the water treatment plant. Also included in the 2026 budget is the rehab of well #3; an upgrade to the chlorine pumps at the booster station; purchase of pipe freezing equipment; and the purchase of a new truck and utility box. Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the 2026 Sewer Utility Budget. Council Member Sendelbach seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The Sewer Utility will continue moving forward with improvements to the wastewater treatment plant. The 2026 operating budget includes the purchase of a new pickup truck. Council Member Mathson moved to approve the 2026 General City Budget. Council Member Johnson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 The following capital outlay items are included in the 2026 General Fund budget with the City borrowing the funds: new steel for the Melby Park shed; Depot maintenance; replacement of sidewalks; controllers for the aquatic center; concrete replacement in front of the city garage; and the following street projects: Sheila Street (Hobson Street to Dewey Street); Lee Street (end of payment to the end of the right-of-way); and Sandra Street (curve to end of right-of-way). Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the 2026 TID #2 Budget. Council Member Sendelbach seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Sendelbach moved to approve the 2026 TID #3 Budget. Council Member Sunday seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Solsrud moved to approve the 2026 Development Budget. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Council Member Sendelbach made a motion at 6:16 p.m. to go into Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin Statue 19.85(1) (c), “Considering employment, promotion, compensation and performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the government body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility…”, specifically for the purpose of discussing the appointment of an interim Chief of Police. Council Member Solsrud seconded, and the motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Mayor Hauser brought the meeting back into open session at 6:21 p.m. by unanimous consent. Council Member Solsrud made a motion to hire Randy Jensen as the interim Chief of Police at the rate of $37.44 per hour effective December 20th, 2025. Council Member Mathson seconded, and the motion carried on a voice vote as follows: Ayes – Johnson, Mathson, Sendelbach, Solsrud, Sunday Nays – 0 Upon motion by Council Member Sendelbach and seconded by Council Member Solsrud, the meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m. The foregoing reports, resolutions, motions, ordinances, etc. contained in this are These minutes are the true and correct herewith approved by the undersigned. original and consist of three pages. ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Jeff Hauser, Mayor Karen Witte, City Clerk/Treasurer