Village Board Meeting — Minutes

Village of Benton June 17, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes Members Present: Ken Farrey, Bill Mowry, Steve Brink, Jill Knight, Scott Cruse, John Perkins, and Joe Slater. Absent: None Village Employees Present: Jim Goffinet The regular board meeting of the Benton Village Board was called to order by Village President, Ken Farrey, at 6:30 p.m. in the conference room of the Benton Business Incubator Building at 244 Ridge Avenue on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. In compliance with the open meeting law, proper notice of the meeting had been posted in four public places: the Zephyr Depot, Conservation First Bank, Benton Post Office and the Benton Business Incubator Building. The minutes from the Village Board meeting on May 20, 2026 were presented. Motion (Slater, Brink) to approve the minutes from the regular village board meeting held on May 20, 2026 as presented. Voice -all ayes. Motion carried. There were no citizens present to address the board. Reports of Village employees: Jim Goffinet reported that the clean-up was complete from the storm. An insurance claim will be submitted for damage of fences at the Village Park and Swift Park. A couple of street lights were also damaged. Bill Mowry noted that the working group for the Be Rooted Building in the Industrial Park will meet at 1:00 on 6/18/2026 regarding street elevation and building elevation. Community Center Update: Michelle Savatski updated the board on the progress of the Community Building Project. The fixtures have been installed in the restrooms, lighting is now on in the building, installation of glass for the museum displays has occurred. In addition, information technology work is underway. We are waiting on the roofers to complete the front cap and shingles. Work is underway for the Extraordinary Women exhibit and Donor Wall. The Grand Opening will be on August 21, 2026. Details to follow. A clock has been ordered for the exterior of the building- it will take 4-5 months to arrive. No solar update is available at this time. Regarding the USDA Loan we are nearing final paperwork. There will be a public hearing before the July Village Board Meeting. The pre-closing is currently scheduled for July 29, 2026. Michelle also noted that Nick Neis (Fire Chief) recommends we get a subscription service for smoke detectors and fire alarms. Michelle will forward the information to the Village Clerk. Motion (Mowry, Cruse) to subscribe for one year for this service. Voice-all ayes. Motion carried. The Water/Sewer committee met regarding Treganza Street. We are still waiting for manholes for the Interceptor Project. Compliance Annual Report for the Benton Wastewater Treatment Facility Motion (Perkins, Slater) to approve the Compliance Annual Report for the Benton Wastewater Treatment Facility as presented and Resolution 2026-01. Roll Call-all ayes. Motion Carried. Ordinance requiring CSM for land combination for the Village of Benton Motion (Slater, Cruse) to approve 1st reading of Ordinance 26.012 regarding requiring a CSM for land combinations for the iillage of Benton. Roll call- all ayes. Motion carried. Motion (Perkins, Brink) to waive the 2nd reading & adopt Ordinance 26.012. Roll call-all ayes. Motion carried. Renewal of Class, A, Class B Liquor Licenses Motion (Knight, Perkins) to approve the renewal of Class “A” and Class “A” liquor license 2026-2026 for Driftless Stores, Inc. dba Jeff’s Mart. Voice-all ayes. Motion carried. Motion (Cruse, Brink) to approve the renewal of Class “B” and Class “B” liquor licenses for 2026-2026 Lawrence’s Outback LLC. Voice-all ayes. Motion carried. Carried. Motion (Slater, Cruse) to approve the renewal of Class “B” and Class “B” liquor licenses for 2026=2026 Joseph F. McCrea iFW Post 7896. Voice-all ayes. Carried. Motion (Perkins, Brink) to approve the renewal of Class “B” and Class “B” liquor licenses for 2026-2026 McCarthy’s Tavern, LLC. Voice- all ayes. Carried. Motion (Knight, Perkins) to approve the renewal of Class “B” and Class “B” liquor licenses for 2026-2026 Whitey’s Bar & Grill, LLC. Voice-all ayes. Carried. Renewal of Operator Licenses: Motion (Slater, Brink) to approve Operator Licenses 2026-2026 for: Shane Lawrence, Rory Lawrence, Eldon Kruser, John Scanlan, William Sides, Heather Morrisard, Nicholas Neis, Sarah McCarthy, Aaron DeMuth, Brenda Richards, Randy Wiegman, Alivia Carius, Marissa Polfer, Lora Carius, Kevin Kirk, Sara Grindy, Marcella Polfer, Melinda Kammerude, Dora Pate, Colleen Luce, Molley McMartney. Voice-all ayes. Carried. Renewal of Cigarette, tobacco and electronic vaping devices license Motion (Slater, Brink) to approve the renewal of cigarette, tobacco, and electronic vaping devices for 2026-2026 for Driftless Stores, Inc. dba Jeff’s Mart. Voice- ayes Cruse, Perkins, Knight, Brink, Slater, Mowry. Nays- Farrey. Carried. Payment of Bills Motion (Knight, Slater) to pay the bills. Voice-all ayes. Carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 P .M. Motion (Perkins, Slater) to adjourn. Voice-all ayes. Carried.