Town of Rib Mountain Hits Important Milestone in Incorporation Process

Saturday, November 12th, 2022 -- 8:12 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) The Town of Rib Mountain hit an important milestone in their incorporation process this week.

According to Mike Leischner of WSAU, Administrator Gaylene Rhoden says their submittal to the Department of Administration was accepted, meaning their six-month waiting period begins. "So, the Department of Administration will provide their determination and there are certain requirments we have to meet in the determination outline."

She says she expects the process will bring more questions as the department pour over more than 110 pages of Rib Mountain history and the current makeup of the town. "But that does not include all the additional back up information, the maps, the attachments that are required by the Department of Administration along with our supporiting documentation. You need soil types, history. There's some interesting stuff there."

She says if the submittal is approved the next step involves the circuit courts, who would set a public vote on the issue. "The courts have a certain period of time and they have to set the referendum date and then the Clerk has to publish the notice and then we're off to the races."

She says residents should keep watching the town's newsletter for more information on a public hearing that could be coming later this winter. Additionally, they also used this week's election to keep residents informed on the process.

"We had a table and we had our information available and people came up to us and asked questions. We were able to provide that. We also do information sharing with residents in our town newsletter as well, so that they have an idea where we're at."

Rhoden says their goal is to move from a township to a village, which would lock their borders and decrease the chances that they would be taken over by a neighbor such as the city of Wausau or Village of Rothschild.

Rhoden adds that many have been pushing for incorporation for years as a point of community pride. Rhoden has previously told WSAU news that many residents won't notice much of a difference if the vote goes through outside of signage on municipal centers and at the borders.

Those who pay water and sewer fees will also see a change in where their bills are paid to.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.