Rib Mountain Leaders Discuss Next Steps After Village Vote

Tuesday, July 18th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Leaders in Rib Mountain gathered to discuss how they'll be moving forward as a Village once the state signs off on the results of last week's incorporation referendum.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Town Chairman Allen Opall says that is the last step. "The finalization, we don't anticipate anything going wrong. So, yes, as soon as they say they've accepted our vote, and everything is in order, we will then become a village and we'll have to start a charter."

Details like changing the "Town of Rib Mountain" signs at either end of Rib Mountain Drive and the municipal center will wait for a few months. "I think it's kinda cute to still be the Town of Rib Mountain even though we're a village, but, we'll see. I don't know how important that will be to address right away."

He says the biggest change will be bringing the town's sanitary district under the full control of Village Administration, essentially taking two businesses and merging them into one. "Being able to resolve that issue is going to be very interesting. It's not going to be easy."

He says with the merger of the town's sanitary district into the full control of Village Administration there may be some hiccups, so he encourages residents to be patient. "Well, hang on. It's going to be a little confusing for awhile. But, we'll get through this."

Town leaders expect the state to sign off on the results of last week's election by Wednesday at the earliest. Once that's accomplished they will have to set the date for their next election, which will name their village president and trustees.

Last week's referendum was approved by 92 percent of voters, just about 100 ballots were cast against incorporation.

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