Annual Budget Public Hearing — Minutes

Blooming Grove Annual Public Hearing for the Town of Blooming Grove 2026 Budget Minutes for November 19, 2025 Chair Bristol called the Town Elector meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Those in attendance were reminded to sign in. Town Supervisors in attendance were Amy Schroeder, Jeff Teuscher, Frank Woznick, and Dave Young. Also present were Erin Pierce, Deborah Sellers, Rachel Salemi, Barb Hockett, Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator John Wright, and Public Works Supervisor Cory Buske. Those in attendance recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Wright attested to proper proof of posting. 2a. Open Public Hearing for the Proposed 2026 Town Budget: Chair Bristol opened the public hearing at 5:32 PM. 2b. Introduce 2026 budget summary, proposed levy, and planned road work: Deborah Sellers expressed curiosity about interest on taxes (page 2 of the detailed budget). Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Wright explained that he could not forecast a 2026 budget number as it is unknown when residents will pay delinquent special charges on their tax bills from past years. He noted that Dane County annually pays the Town unpaid property taxes in August and distributes delinquent special charges, including interest, around the same time. Wright presented a brief summary of the 2025 budget year-to-date followed by an overview of the changes to the 2026 budget. Some highlighted topics included the loss of 10% of building permit fees when the City of Madison takes over building inspection effective January 1, 2026. Additional unallocated funds were required to balance the 2026 budget which will reduce the projected interest on investments. The Board had met several times in the past to discuss the local levy and have proposed for that to remain at $100,000. The 2025 pay 2026 mill rate cannot be determined until all taxing jurisdictions have adopted their budgets and the School Lottery Tax Credit has been published. Other factors influencing local property taxes are the Lottery Credit, the First Dollar Credit, and approved referenda to exceed the levy for local school districts. The Town has been awarded $24,150.53 towards the milling and asphaltic lift on Carncross; the money will not been added to the proposed 2026 budget; it will be an offset to actual expenses incurred in 2026 and will be part of a future budget amendment. The Town share of resurfacing Pflaum Road by the City of Madison has not been added to the 2026 budget as the project has yet to begin and billing may be issued after the Town has been attached to the City at the end of the day on October 31, 2027. Deborah Sellers asked the nature of building maintenance expenses (page 4 of 2026 budget expense details). Wright responded that it included rerouting HVAC ducts in the main office. The category also includes the inspection of fire extinguishers, pest control, office cleaning, and the Town share to paint the Trachte Building roof (Madison paid half of the expense). There was a brief discussion regarding the constituent factors comprising the designated fund balance applied (page 3 of the 2026 budget revenue details). It was noted that in 2026, in addition to Carncross, Beegs and Brugger (from the intersection with Bittner north) will also be milled and resurfaced. 2c. Close Public Hearing for the Proposed 2026 Town Budget: Chair Bristol moved to close the public hearing; 2 nd Supervisor Schroeder. Motion carried at 6:13 PM. 3. Adjournment: Chair Bristol made a motion to adjourn; 2nd by Supervisor Young. Motion carried 5-0 at 6:14 PM. Minutes written and submitted by John Wright, Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Approved: April 22, 2026