Neillsville Common Council Approves Changes to Sex Offender and Nuisance Ordinances and More

Thursday, June 27th, 2024 -- 9:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council discussed the City’s sex offender ordinance at their meeting on Tuesday.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski stated that the City’s current ordinance on sex offenders is unconstitutional, so he contacted the City Attorney to draft a new one to clean up things. Council Member Barb Petkovsek asked how this ordinance affected the Clark County Fairgrounds. Chief Mankowski stated everything at the fairgrounds is under the Clark County rules. The Council approved the changes to the ordinance.

Chief Mankowski also stated that the City’s current ordinance on public nuisances does not have enough teeth to clean up properties in decline, so he contacted the City Attorney to strengthen it. Again, the Council approved adopting the ordinance.

The Council also reviewed and adopted a resolution regarding the Compliance Maintenance Annual Report. City Clerk Rex Roehl presented a report on the City’s continuing appropriation accounts and their respective balances as of December 31st of 2023. The accounts include:

• Police Department Administration (K9 and Police Training),
• Parking Lots and Meters,
• Library,
• Parks and Recreation – Room Tax 30%,
• Celebrations – July 4th , etc.,
• Christmas Decorations,
• Planning (Historic Preservation),
• Urban Development,
• Economic Development,
• Tourism Promotion – Room Tax 70%,
• Public Buildings,
• Public Safety – Fire Department Vehicles,
• Machinery and Equipment,
• Street Construction,
• Bridges and Culverts,
• Airport,
• And Parks.

Discussion followed on donation restrictions within each category. The Council approved to carry forward to 2024 the continuing appropriations as presented. The Council also heard the Audit Report.

Joy Palmer, with CliftonLarsonAllen, presented the City, Water, Sewer, TIF District #2, TIF District #3, TIF District #4, Special Revenue Funds and Other Governmental Funds for 2023. The report provided the auditor’s report and opinion.

The City has $2.7 million in the General Fund with $1.5 million in Unassigned Fund Balance, which is a very good financial condition and very stable. The Water Utility shows a negative change in net position (-$153,325) and the Sewer Utility shows a positive change in net position ($75,849) with Rates of Returns (Water is 12.13% and Sewer is 1.68%).

These were very close; oversight is needed to make sure the fluctuations are monitored and utility rates are updated and sufficient to cover increasing expenses and remove changes. Water rates were updated in 2013 when the PSC approved a 2.5% rate of return. A rate study would be required.

TIF Districts #2, #3 and #4 were reviewed. TIF Districts are a large up-front investment ($2.1 million, $1.8 million and $907,362) recovered in future tax increments from the individual TIF Districts.

The Council needs to be aware that TIF #2 has a deficit of $82,650 with 9 years remaining, the district was extended by the granting of distressed status in February 2016 by the State of Wisconsin, with a dissolution date of 2032. TIF #2 should pay off early.

TIF #3 has 3 years of remaining life with a deficit of $276,938 which may not break even unless more development occurs. TIF #4 has a deficit of $870,141 with 18 years remaining.

Risk disclosure on the City’s cash and investments were reviewed at year end. The majority (97.2%) was FDIC or NCUSIF insured or collateralized. The remaining 2.8% was under the State Deposit Guarantee Fund, which is not considered to be insured or collateralized.

They also reviewed the City’s long term debt. City Statutory limit is $8.6 million with current borrowing of $2.5 million. $6.1 million is available, the City is in good financial shape. They also reviewed the GASB 68 and 71 Statements regarding the City’s share of the Wisconsin Retirement Pension Plan.

The General Fund Budget Comparison was reviewed. They reviewed the Complied Schedule Report of long term debt, non-lapsing funds, insurance, water and sewer rates of return on a regulatory basis.

They also reviewed the City’s internal control structure, lack of separation of duties, preparation of financial statements, audit adjustments and new lease standards. In conclusion, the records are in very good working order, the staff was open and cooperative, the City had an overall good year with good financial planning in place.

Discussion followed on the audit communication letters; the GASB Statement No. 87 on Leases was immaterial for 2023, but it has to be reviewed each year; new for 2023 was audit standards for subscription-based information technology (includes things like-Microsoft, SCADA and Police programs).

Palmer thanked the Clerk’s office staff for their work and stated that the Water and Sewer utilities rates of return should continue to be monitored. The Council approved accepting, and filing, the 2023 Annual Audit report as presented.

During the communications from the public portion of the meeting, Lori Voss introduced herself. She is running for the 69th Assembly District and is the former City of Abbotsford Mayor. A resident also expressed concerns about cars being worked on in yards, garbage in yards, absentee landlords, people feeding wildlife, bad roads and reporting of illegal activities.

The Council also heard the various Committee Reports. Council Member Clarissa Rochester reported on the June 12th meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Discussion on requesting Listeman and City 2024 budget funds;
• And discussion on set-up for the 2024 event.

Council Member Bill Neville reported on the June 13th meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board regarding:

• Discussion on and approval to remove the old Listeman Park shelter and replace it with a new one in the Summer of 2025;
• And discussion on the O’Neill Ice Arena; the City Attorney will be contacted to draft a notice to address the cleanup, removal of job trailer, and proof of insurance at the O’Neill Ice Arena with the Clark County Hockey Association.

Council Member Rochester reported on the June 20th meeting of the Neillsville Community Fire Hall Board regarding:

• Payment of bills;
• Current activities including a sinkhole in parking lot, changing light bulbs, and a roof leak;
• And reviewed and approved insurance renewal without terrorism amendment.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the June 24th meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• A closed session regarding reviewing Workers Compensation claim by a firefighter;
• Reconvening into open session;
• Discussion on League of Wisconsin Municipalities Mutual Insurance review of the Employee Handbook;
• A closed session regarding discussion on contract negotiations with the Neillsville Police Association.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the June 25th meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities;
• Reviewed and accepted the Sewer Department’s Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and recommendation that Resolution No. 626 be adopted;
• And payment of bills.

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