Town Board — Minutes

Blooming Grove Town Board Meeting Minutes for September 24, 2025 Chair Bristol called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM. Other Town Board members in attendance were Supervisor Woznick, Teuscher, Schroeder, and Young. Also in attendance were Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Wright, Public Works Supervisor Cory Buske, and Deborah Sellers. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present. Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Wright confirmed proper proof of posting and stated that there is a closed session item on tonight’s agenda. Chair Bristol, without objection, moved items 2 g., 3, a. and b., and 4 forward on the agenda. 2a. Review and make changes to the Town’s Outlay Accounts: Chair Bristol confirmed with Public Works Supervisor Buske that what is proposed for mill and overlay includes the north end of Brugger Place. Buske provided a brief report regarding the condition of the paving of the three roads that are recommended for work in 2026. An estimate was included in this evening’s packet that totaled $184,800 for the segment of Brugger, Beegs (the stubs to the north will not be addressed), and Carncross. Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Wright stated that the impact on the outlay account will exceed the current balance slightly. However, he is seeking permission to apply for an TRI grant to offset costs. If awarded, the Town would receive approximately $16,000 following the completion of the work and payment of all bills. Wright requested the review of the draft LRIP application by Jeremy Rach of the Dane County Highway Department. Rach responded by email that the application looked fine and provided the minimum standards to be met for approval. Supervisor Young moved to approve the use of the Streets/Stormwater Outlay funds for the three roads recommended by Buske and to authorize Wright to submit an LRIP application for Carncross Drive for TRI funds for 2026; 2nd by Supervisor Woznick. Motion carried 5-0. 2b. Set the date for the Annual Town Budget Meeting in November (possibly November 19, 2025): There was brief discussion regarding holding a public hearing to present the budget and special Town meeting of the electorate for the purposes to approve the levy for the following year. Supervisor Schroeder moved to approve the public hearing and special Town meeting of the electorate to approve the 2026 levy to be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 starting with the public hearing at 5:30 PM, with the special Town meeting to follow the adjournment of the public hearing, and the regular Town Board meeting to be held thereafter; 2nd by Supervisor Teuscher. Motion carried 5-0. 2c. Review 2026 preliminary budget numbers and 2025 Budget to Actual: Wright stated he confirmed 2024 actual numbers after the financial audit adjustments in 2025. The 2025 budget-to- actual is accurate through today and shows the income currently exceeding expenses. The projected year-end income also is likely to exceed expenses. Wright noted that he believes the unallocated reserves to exceed the amount previously calculated by Mike Wolf. The 2026 numbers are based upon trending as well as many estimated state distributions, estimates for which have been posted to date. General Transportation Aid estimates for 2026 should be available later this week. Wright presented the allowable levy for this year and prepared five draft summary budgets: one is based upon the maximum allowable levy with cost of living adjustments applied last year; the second option has no increase to the local levy, but is otherwise the same as the first; the third scenario assumes a 25% reduction to the local levy with no changes to the proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA); the fourth scenario leaves the local levy unchanged, the same proposed COLAs, with a change of the balance of health coverage from 75/25 (Town/employee percentages of the premiums) to 88/12; the final assumes the same as the fourth version and includes a hourly stipend for any qualifying employee who receives health insurance elsewhere and opts out of the Town-provided plan. These will be discussed later during the closed session. Wright noted that income from the 10% share of building inspections has been removed from the 2026 budget to reflect a new contract with the City of Madison for inspection services. All versions of the draft 2026 summary budgets that have been presented also assume a large reduction to investment income 2026 as interest rates drop and as more unallocated reserves are needed to balance income and expenses. 2d. Proposed amendments to park rental policy, application form, process, and website: Wright reported he received photos of April Hill and Sprecher parks from Steve Kearney after they were mowed. He is waiting on photos from Thurber Park in order to update the website. No changes have been made to the local ordinance or application. Without objection, this will be added to a future agenda when these materials are ready for presentation. 2g. Possibly delay October 8, 2025 Board meeting start time to 6:00 PM in order for Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator to return from training in the Dells: Wright will be attending the Municipal Assessor’s Institute hosted by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities on October 7 and October 8, 2025. His last class will end at 4:45 PM the night of the Board meeting and he does not want to arrive late, so is asking for the meeting to begin at a later time than usual. Chair Bristol moved to start the October 8, 2025 Town Board meeting at 6:00 PM; 2 nd by Supervisor Teuscher. Motion carried 5-0. 3a. Minutes of September 10, 2025 Town Board Meeting: Supervisor Schroeder moved to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2025 Town Board meeting, as presented; 2nd by Supervisor Teuscher. Motion carried 3-0 with two abstentions. 3b. Approval of Vouchers: Supervisor Young made a motion to approve the vouchers, as presented; 2nd by Supervisor Schroeder. Motion carried 5-0. 4. Public Comment: Deborah Sellers noted that there are 767 days left before the Town of Blooming Grove is fully attached to the City of Madison. She continues to request the restoration of shrubs and a tree in Thurber Park. Public Works Supervisor Buske received an estimate to replace the defective portion of stormwater infrastructure along Webb Avenue. Without objection, this can be added to the next agenda for discussion. Wright stated that he has started work on the Fall newsletter. Chair Bristol announced that he will be unable to attend the October 22, 2025 meeting. 2e. Closed Session pursuant to Wisconsin State Statute 19.85(1)(c) for the purpose of deliberating compensation changes for public employees: Members of the public departed the meeting at 6:11 PM. Chair Bristol moved to convene into closed session; 2nd by Supervisor Young. Roll call vote: Woznick: aye; Teuscher: aye; Young: aye, Schroeder: aye; and Bristol: aye. Closed session began at 6:11 PM. 2f. Return to open session and summary action, if any: Chair Bristol moved to return to open session at 6:43 PM; 2nd by Supervisor Teuscher. Motion carried 5-0. The Board agreed to a cost of living adjustment for the three full time employees and to keep the local levy at $100,000. Without objection, Wright will adjust the 2026 budget to reflect these changes and will present the draft, detailed budget to the Board at the next meeting for review. 5. Adjournment: Chair Bristol moved to adjourn the meeting; 2 nd by Supervisor Woznick. Motion carried 5-0 at 6:45 PM. Minutes written and submitted by John Wright Town Clerk/Treasurer/Administrator Approved: October 8, 2025