Neillsville City Council Approves Amendment to City's Comprehensive Plan

Friday, July 25th, 2025 -- 1:00 PM

The Neillsville City Council approved an amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan at their meeting on Tuesday.

City Clerk Rex Roehl stated no written, telephone or in-person public comments were received on the Amendment to the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan 2021-2041. The Amendment modifies the City’s future land use plan. The City also approved a resolution regarding the boundary of TID #5 as well as the project plan for the District.

City Clerk Roehl then presented the Security Health Insurance contract renewal for 2025-2026. The Family active plan premium is remaining the same at $1,961.17 per month, a 0.0% increase; single active plan premium is remaining the same at $905.06 per month, a 0.0% increase. The current deductibles are $6,000 family and $3,000 single.

The only significant benefit change, due to IRS regulations change, is that Care My Way can no longer be offered at 100% coverage cost share. This will be the City’s seventh annual renewal with a zero percent premium increase. The Council approved the health insurance contract renewal with Security Health for 2025-2026.

City Clerk Roehl reported on receiving a $2,500 donation from the Tews family for the C.C. Sniteman Town Square Park, which the Council accepted and thanked the Tews family for a donation.

Neillsville Fire Chief Matt Meyer reported on:

• Attending the Clark County Emergency Services meeting in Thorp;
• Changing the Smokey Bear sign;
• Working on fire hydrant verification and connections;
• Preplanning on several commercial buildings;
• Conducted a home inspection for a Pine Valley foster home;
• Verified pressure system checks on sprinkler systems in two commercial buildings;
• Assistant Fire Chief Poeschel attended the Blue Mass Service at St. Mary’s Church;
• Provided a truck and crew for the Rock Crawlers event at the Fairgrounds;
• Filled five swimming pools;
• Provided an escort out of town for the High School golf team going to State and an escort back into town for State Golf Champion Tucker Johnson;
• Provided an escort out of town for the High School track team going to State;
• Provided an escort and traffic control for the Highground Motorcycle Ride;
• And provided a crew for the Highground’s fireworks.

Fire Chief Meyer stated for the first time ever the department did a Wildland Fire Shelter Deployment training. The Department also:

• Hosted a propane training with the propane provided by the WI Propane Council (firefighters from both Granton and Greenwood attended);
• Worked on driver training;
• ID a 34 acre controlled prairie fire burn for Rick Sturtz in the Town of Hewett;
• Conducted the annual hose test, all equipment is in good working condition;
• City Engine #2 is in need of some valve repairs;
• The Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBAs) are aging and in need of replacement, they have been trying for grants.

Fire Chief Meyer also reported on:

• Responding to 14 calls: 7-Rural: 2 EMS lift assists, a wildland fire, a motorcycle accident, a structure fire, a UTV accident and a cancelled enroute to Granton mutual aid;
• 7-City: faulty alarm at care facility, an unintentional alarm activation at a manufacturing facility, a down power line standby, a natural gas leak at a care facility, assisting the Police Department with a welfare check, a small fire in a manufacturing facility and a stove fire.

Fire Chief Meyer stated that the Fire Department, Police Department and Neillsville EMS will be hosting a Public Safety Day at the Fire Hall on Monday, August 4, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

City Clerk Roehl presented a picture of retired Neillsville School District Superintendent John Gaier receiving a plaque at the Library Board meeting for his 27 years of service on the Library Board.

Mayor Dewey Poeschel stated that the Neillsville Police Department is also hosting a school supply collection at the Public Safety event on August 4, 2025 and the Neillsville Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Let’s Talk Neillsville” event on August 19, 2025 at the American Legion Hall from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Council Member Rolly Gelhaus stated that he has hired some men from the Lutheran Social Services Deep River Facility to work for him and Heidi Jotham is the contact person. She is interested in possibly setting up some volunteer work hours with the City.

Council Member Dan Clough reported on the July 8, 2025 meeting of the TIF District #5 Joint Review Board regarding:

• Selection on Donald Quicker as the Citizen Member;
• Election on Duane Poeschel as Board Chair;
• And reviewed TIF District #5 project plan, boundary map and timeline.

Mayor Poeschel and Director of Public Works Friemoth reported on the July 10, 2025 meeting of the Planning Commission regarding:

• A public hearing on the Amendment to the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan 2021-2041 and Resolution;
• Discussion on and recommendation that Resolution No. 639 – Recommending Adoption of an Amendment to the City of Neillsville Comprehensive Plan 2021-2041, be adopted;
• A public hearing on proposed Tax Incremental District Number 5 project plan, boundaries and creation of a resolution;
• And discussion on and recommendation that Resolution No. 640 –Recommending the boundary and approving the project plan for Tax Increment District Number 5, City of Neillsville, be adopted.

Council Member Bill Neville reported on the July 15, 2025 meeting of the Library Board regarding:

• Librarians’ reports;
• Discussion on Policy Review Committee progress;
• Welcomed Corey Peterson, the new Neillsville School District Superintendent;
• Presented John Gaier, retired Neillsville School District Superintendent with a plaque for his 27 years of service on the Library Board;
• Election of officers – Graeme Williams- President, Logan Grap-Vice President and Maggie Gelhaus-Secretary;
• All committee appointments remain in place with Corey Peterson taking John Gaier’s position as Neillsville School District Superintendent;
• Payment of bills;
• And updates on donations and carryover funds.

Council Member Clough reported on the July 16, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission regarding:

• Discussion on and approval of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to James and Dawn Voss, 26 Hewett Street, to replace the roof on the carport and carriage house with ribbed steel panels;
• Discussion on and approval of 50% Reimbursable Historic Preservation Improvement Grant in the amount of up to $500 to James and Dawn Voss, 26 Hewett Street, for roof replacement;
• Discussion on the 1897 Clark County Jail building;
• Reviewed the status of the new Historic Preservation Commission website and QR codes to link walking tours to the website;
• Discussion on murals project, the first two murals are complete – any murals on Historic Properties have to come before the Historic Preservation Commission;
• Reviewed fund balances;
• And discussion on possible people for the vacant Commission position.

Council Member Clough reported on the July 22, 2025 meeting of the Commission on Public Works/Utilities meeting regarding:

• Current activities;
• Payment of bills.

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