Neillsville City Council Approves Moving a Meeting, Donations, and More

Thursday, August 14th, 2025 -- 11:01 AM

-The Neillsville City Council approved moving one of their regular November meetings at their meeting on Tuesday.

According to the unofficial minutes from the meeting, City Clerk Rex Roehl reported that the regular meeting of Tuesday, November 11th is also Veteran’s Day. Discussion followed. The Council approved moving the November 11th meeting to that Monday, November 10th.

City Clerk Roehl stated the Beautification Committee has collected $1,250 in donations for hanging baskets/decorations from area businesses and individuals. The Council approved to accept the donations and thanked the businesses and individuals for helping beautify the City.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $300 donation from the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for flowers in the Sniteman Town Square flower garden. The Council approved to accept the donation and thanked the Neillsville Kiwanis Club for help in beautifying our City.

City Clerk Roehl stated the Beautification Committee has collected $105 in donations for the Murals Project from individuals. The Council approved to accept the donations and thanked the individuals for the contributions.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving $989.13 from the Neillsville Tourism Committee Room Tax Grant for the Murals Project. The Council approved to accept the funds for the Murals Project.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $1,200 donation from the Motorhead Mafia Car Club for the Police Department from their car show. The Council approved to accept the donation and thanked them for the contribution.

City Clerk Roehl presented the Assessment Services Agreement with Associated Appraisal Consultants for 2026 to 2030. In 2026, an Interim Market Update would be done for $41,500.

A full Revaluation would be done in 2028 with the cost split between 2027 ($60,500) and 2028 ($61,000) and Maintenance Assessments for 2029 ($18,000) and 2030 ($18,500), five-year total $199,500. After some discussion, the Council approved the Assessment Services Agreement with Associated Appraisal Consultants in Greenville.

City Clerk Roehl reported on the two billboard lease agreements in the City’s Industrial Park with Schubert and Hoey Outdoor Advertising, Inc. These billboards are 12 feet by 20 feet.

The renewal contracts are for five years, with an annual payment of $600 per year per billboard. The Council approved to authorize the renewal of the two Industrial Park billboard lease agreements with Schubert and Hoey Outdoor Advertising, Inc. at a rental fee of $600 per year per billboard on five-year contracts, 2025-2030.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce to close West Street between W. Fifth Street and W. Sixth Street from 12:01 A.M. to 11:59 P.M. and West Street between W. Fifth Street and W. Fourth Street from 12:01 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and the intersection of West Street and W. Fifth Street from 12:01 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 11, 2025 for the Autumn Harvest Fest event, which the Council approved.

Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce to close the lower Municipal parking lot on West Street from Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 8:00 A.M. until Monday, October 13, 2025; extend the hours until 11:59 P.M. for the band on Saturday, October 11, 2025 and use the Heritage Days tent, stage, tables and chairs for the Autumn Harvest Fest event, which the Council approved.

Mayor Poeschel presented a request from the Neillsville Fire Department to close W. Eighth Street from Grand Avenue to Hewett Street and West Street from W. Eighth Street to the rear parking lot of JD’s Brickyard Pub & Grub for their steak feed fundraiser on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 2:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M, which the Council approved.

Natalie Erpenbach, Technology Committee Chair presented the draft City of Neillsville 2025-2027 Cybersecurity Plan for the Council’s review for action at the next meeting. This Plan was developed with clear goals, measurable objectives and designated responsibilities to ensure accountability and implementation. The next step would be the development of policies and procedures.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski reported on:

• Training;
• Part-time Officer Larson has taken a full-time position with the Greenwood Police Department (he will remain on the roster and assist when available);
• Purchased less than lethal weapons;
• Squad car maintenance;
• July parking enforcements, citations, warnings, office activities, officer activities, business patrols and contract policing.

City Clerk Roehl stated that TIF District #5 Creation Application has been filed with the Wis DOR. It is now in the review process. City Clerk Roehl presented a Certificate of Appreciation from The Highground for the City’s continuing support.

The Council also heard the various Committee Reports from the past couple weeks. Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the July 22, 2025 meeting of the Grants Committee regarding reviewing and updating the list of grants in progress.

Council Member Clarissa Rochester reported on the July 23, 2025 meeting of the Heritage Days Committee regarding:

• Discussion on a gravel pad and new layout for Schuster Park;
• Discussion on and approval of Mike Winder as Secretary;
• Discussion on and approval of Dale Erickson as Treasurer effective May 1, 2026 when Justin Poeschel’s term ends;
• And discussion on outstanding bills, a different tent, Committee responsibilities and checkbook signers.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the July 29, 2025 meeting of the Finance Committee regarding:

• Discussion on Assessment services options;
• Contacting the Assessor to get a price and contract for a Maintenance plus Interim Market Update for the 2026 Assessment Year with a Maintenance plus Full Revaluation with cost spread over two years (2027 and 2028);
• A closed session for deliberating or negotiating the purchase of public properties, the investing of public funds, or the conducting of other specified public business, as long as competitive or bargain reason require a closed session;
• And adjourned in closed session.

Council Member Petkovsek reported on the July 30, 2025 meeting of the Personnel Committee regarding:

• Discussion on and receiving the Innovation Public Advisors (IPA) report “Seeking Partnerships and Efficiencies: A Study of the City of Neillsville Police, Public Works and City Hall Staffing” – an Innovation Planning Grant Study for review;
• Discussion on creating and updating job descriptions;
• And discussion on creating a pay schedule for City non-union employees for the 2026 budget process.

Mayor Poeschel reported on the July 30, 2025 meeting of the TIF District #5 Joint Review Board regarding:

• Discussion on and review of the TIF District #5 creation process;
• And adoption of Resolution No. 643 Approval of the Creation of Tax Increment Financing District Number Five, City of Neillsville.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the July 30, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding discussion on the National Park Service – Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant Program.

Council Member Clough reported on the August 12, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities;
• Notification that the Public Service Commission has approved the City’s Simplified Rate Case for a 3% increase for water rates effective September 2, 2025;
• And rescheduling the regular Tuesday, November 11, 2025 meeting to Monday, November 10, 3035 at 6:45 P.M.

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