Neillsville City Council Reviews Loan Proposals to Finance Projects in Several City Departments

Friday, November 28th, 2025 -- 11:01 AM

The Neillsville City Council reviewed the proposal for a $400,000 loan to finance Capital Projects for the Police Station, Fire Department, Public Works, Cemetery and Listeman Park.

Citizens State Bank of Loyal 5.135%, five-year repayment; Unity Bank 5.660%, five-year repayment; Simplicity Credit Union No proposal for borrowing. The Council accepted the Citizens State Bank of Loyal proposal for financing the $400,000 Capital Projects loan at 5.135% with no fees and five-year repayment.

Chief of Police Jim Mankowski presented a copy of the City of Madison Drug and Alcohol Policy requirements for taxi service. Discussion followed on the proposed policy. The nearest testing lab is the Marshfield Clinic (they take and send the samples out), Uber and Lyft Services, etc. The Council approved to adopt the Drug and Alcohol Policy requirements for taxi services as presented.

City Clerk Rex Roehl presented the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs Division of Emergency Management-Cyber Security Grant (Cycle 1-1st Quarter, 2025) in the amount of $11,479.74. The Council accepted the grant and appropriated $6,279.51 to City Hall and $5,200.23 to Police Department Administration.

City Clerk Roehl presented the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics-Airport Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for Wisconsin Airports in the amount of $22,014.63, which the Council accepted.

City Clerk Roehl reported on attending a video conference on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Small City Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) discontinuation.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) original letter was received on March 11, 2025 notifying the City of the program discontinuation and they were developing the close out process and will provide further information.

The City has 21 outstanding RLF loans totaling $297,794.72 (some dating back to 1983). The DOA is recalling all cash on hand and all future payments as RLF loans are repaid. The City’s tentative closeout is scheduled for January 9, 2026.

The City will be responsible RLF loan management and repayment processing until all RLF loans are repaid. Mayor Dewey Poeschel presented the Neillsville Chamber of Commerce “Save the Date” notice for the February 19, 2026 Recognition Banquet.

The Council also heard the various committee reports from the past couple weeks. Council Member Bill Neville reported on the November 12, 2025 meeting of the Library Board regarding:

• Librarians’ reports,
• Discussion on the WLA Conference,
• Update on the policy review,
• Discussion on and approval to waive overdue fines for expired accounts and accounts over five years old,
• Discussion on and acceptance of the Carnegie Foundation award in the amount of $10,000,
• Reviewed the bills,
• And updates on donation and carryover funds.

Council Member Barb Petkovsek reported on the November 12, 2025 meeting of the Beautification Committee regarding:

• Discussion on Fall 2025 decorations,
• Discussion on and approval of Summer 2026 flowers and decorations
• Discussion on Military banners,
• Scheduling Winter decorating for November 20, 2025,
• Discussion on and approval to apply for a Clark County Foundation grant for the Murals project,
• Report on receiving Marguerite Listeman Foundation donations of $3,000 for the Murals project and $2,500 for Beautification flowers and decorationsm And update on fund balances.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the November 19, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Update on the 1897 Clark County Jail building,
• Discussion on the Historic Preservation Commission website status and self-guided Cemetery tour status,
• Update on the Murals project,
• And review of fund balances.

Council Member Clough also reported on the November 25, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities regarding:

• Current activities,
• And payment of bills.

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