Neillsville City Council Discusses Employment Matters and More

Friday, October 27th, 2023 -- 1:00 PM

The Neillsville City Council discussed some employment matters at their meeting on Tuesday.

The Council approved Mathew Thoma’s Letter of Resignation effective October 24th and to thank him for his seven years (2016-2023) of service to the City of Neillsville.

The Council then approved the recommendation to promote from within, the hiring of Logan Marshall, as a Regular Full-Time Water and Sewer Utility Operator, with the conditions of working weekends, obtaining both Water and Sewer Utility certifications, maintaining a CDL and pay based on the Public Works Step Program for new hires ($17.41 plus $0.25 Utility differential).

The Council also approved to accept Officer Jason Wampole’s Letter of Resignation effective November 20th and to thank him for his service to the City of Neillsville. Mayor Dewey Poeschel recommended the appointment of Council Member Clarrissa Rochester and Katie Mohr as members of the Heritage Days Committee, which the Council approved.

City Clerk Rex Roehl presented on Equalized Value Determination Request – TID Base Personal Property Removal for TIF District No. 4. Effective January 1st, the State of Wisconsin has exempted personal property from taxation.

This does not affect TIF Districts No. 2 and No. 3, since when they were set up those TIF Districts were vacant land without personal property. However, when TIF District No. 4 was set up, it included both real estate and personal property in the base value.

The 2023 Act 12 allows municipalities with TIF Districts affected by the change to request a Department of Revenue adjustment to base value. The Request Form PE-606 has been filled out and verified by the City’s assessor and they are requesting permission to file it.

The Personal Property Base Value Removal Request is for $101,300 reducing the TIF District No. 4 base value to $6,329,100. The Council approved the submission of an Equalized Value Determination Request TID Base Personal Property Removal request adjustment for TIF District No. 4.

The Council also heard the various Committee Reports. Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the October 16th meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

• Discussion of Fall decorations;
• Discussion on and approval to give Jim Wetzel a $50.00 Chamber gift certificate as a thank you for Fall decorations;
• Discussion on flowers for 2024;
• Discussion on Christmas Decorating and ordering decorations from Kranzations;
• And discussion on putting up downtown Christmas decorations on November 20th.

Council Member Rochester reported on the October 17th meeting of the Airport Commission regarding:

• Discussion on the Bureau of Aeronautics Petition and funding for maintenance on runways, runway lighting upgrades, drainage improvements, taxiway and parking lot, the entitlement funding is for approximately $300,000 and requires no City matching funds;
• And the recommendation to the Planning Commission to approve petitioning the Secretary of Transportation for Airport Improvement Aid.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the October 19th meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on and approved a Historic Preservation Certificate of Appropriateness, for 118 Clay Street roofing and painting;
• Discussion on the 2023 Historic Preservation Action Plan – letter to property owners, updating the list of contractors;
• Discussion on a historic property plaques and ordering one for the Gates house;
• Discussion on the self-guided cemetery tour;
• Discussion on bringing back the “Tour of Homes” program;
• And discussion on fund balances.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the October 19th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• Discussion on and recommendation to accept Mathew Thoma’s Letter of Resignation effective October 24, 2023;
• Discussion on and recommendation to promote from within, the hiring of Logan Marshall, as a Regular Full-Time Water and Sewer Utility Operator, with the conditions of working weekends, obtaining both Water and Sewer Utility certifications, maintaining a CDL and pay based on the Public Works Step Program for new hires of $17.66 per hour ($17.41 plus $0.25 Utility differential);
• And a closed session regarding reviewing Workers Compensation claim by firefighter – adjourned closed session.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the October 24th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

Current activity;

And payment of bills.

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