Waters rising

It's been awhile since I gave a piece of my mind of the in's and outs of the goings-on in the City and lately there's a lot to speak to.

Pray for his full recovery

Third Ward Alderman Terry Hight

First and foremost, Third Ward Alderman Terry Hight suffered a
stroke recently. He's at home and recovering. In his words, “I feel very lucky to still be alive.” While he is lucid and upright, he is dealing with some physical limitations at the time being. When he comes to mind please pray for him. We are all hoping that he will respond well to physical therapy and be back soon enough to fill his Third Ward chair. Again, he'd like us all to know that he may be down but he's not out.

The Second Ward

Trevor and his family

Second Ward Earl Grover has sold his home on Knapp Street and he and Kathy have bought a home in the First Ward. At the February council meeting he tendered his resignation as Second Ward Alderman effective February 28. He is challenging current First Ward Alderman Scott Bachowski in the spring election. Earl has represented the Second Ward for five years having been originally seated by mayoral appointment when the previous Second Ward-person relocated out of state. In Earl's tenure on the council he has served as the council's representative on the Chetek Area Fire District commission as well as on Utilities and formerly on Parks & Rec.

When a ward-person vacates their seat, it is part of the mayor's responsibility to recruit a member of that particular ward to fill it. Trevor Dysland is a husband and father of two who lives in the Second Ward and after some thought, and the council's approval, has been appointed to complete the rest of Earl's term. At the end of this year, if he finds he enjoys serving in this capacity, he may take out papers to get on the ballot of the Spring Election in 2026 to represent the Second Ward. But hail and well-met, Trevor, and thank you for your service to the Second Ward.

The Water Tower Arises

At long last Maguire has arrived in town and began assembling our new water tower right next to our current water stand. I spoke with crew chief Jake and he asserts that all things being equal they should be done in 60 days (or sometime in mid-April). The thing will be painted as soon as good painting weather arrives. We've never had a pedestal tower and this one we're assured will be seen from the highway.

From the Complaint Department

Nobody who serves in elected office can escape criticism. Whether rightly or wrongly deserved, it comes with the territory. Recently someone posted at the City of Chetek's FB page their ire at the increases in their property taxes as well as their garbage, water and sewer bill.

Exhibit #1: The Martins' 2024 tax bill (slightly altered for privacy's sake)

While I can't address why this person's property taxes went up, when I review our own tax bill from 2024 I find that 11.2% was paid to Barron County, 14.6% went to Northwoods Technical College, 21% went to the Chetek-Weyerhaeuser Area School District and only 1% went to the City of Chetek. One percent! Depending on where you live, the square footage of your home and other variables that affect your bottom line the percentages are the same for everyone. In my opinion, holding taxes to a one percent increase by a governmental agency is commendable to say the least.

Overview shot of the new WWTP (courtesy of Mark Peterson)

Now with regards to the higher garbage, sewer and water bill, yes we are all feeling the pinch. Unfortunately, the City has very little say about these things. If the DNR tells you that your current waste water treatment plant is over 40 years old and is aging out and will never meet the new standards of phosphorous-limits, you shall replace it. And we have – to the tune of nearly $16 million dollars (not counting the $10 million in grant money we received from the feds). While it's true water rates are going up on account of the water tower project, there's a few things to keep in mind. Namely, we do not set our water rates; rather the Public Service Commission (PSC) does. Water rates were last increased in 2021. Ehler's and Associates is a financial service company that we get counsel from and they recommend a 1-2% increase annually so that it is not quite such a big leap when the PSC does their full rate review. That may sound like “pass-the-buck”-speak but it is what it is.

Ward 1 is the blue area and home to our most recent TID

A few weeks ago, a former school board member of the Chetek-Weyerhaeuser School District posted a Letter to the Editor in the Chetek Alert blaming higher school taxes in part on the City of Chetek for creating the Tax Increment District (TID) in which the new waste water treatment plant, the water tower and the new development that S.C. Swiderski will break ground on later this year. A financial expert I am not and personally I find trying to simplify (or, if you prefer, “dumb-down”) Tax Increment Financing (TIF) challenging to say the least. What I do know is that all municipalities create TIDs as a way of development. The north industrial park that includes Sugar 'n Spice, Core Products, Parker-Hannafin, and Ahers Tech used to be a TID. To create that, the City Clerk and the then Mayor attended a hearing to make their case and upon approval for the next 20 years all the taxes in that TID stayed there to lay the water and sewer lines and build the roads and infrastructure that service the north industrial park. I think we all agree that it's been a good thing for the city. As this current one will prove to be and help pay for the Waste Water Treatment Plant and the Water Tower which paves the way for the new development which promises to bring tax revenues in the six digit realm back to the city. More residents in the city means more revenues in order to spread the love around. So in the long run, the City feels that the creation of this TID is a very good thing.

Finally, about last Tuesday

I want to apologize on behalf of the council for the lack of decorum and respect that was exhibited by all council members, save Alderman Hight who was not present, at last Tuesday's council meeting. It was embarrassing to say the least. There were moments when the adults in the room were acting in a juvenile fashion. Tempers flared and things were said. Having a robust, spirited debate about certain matters is fine – healthy even - so long as it stays about the matter at hand. When it becomes personal, however, each one of us has to take a breath and determine if restraint is the better course of valor. In a council meeting the mayor serves as the referee. I'll be the first to say I need to do a better job of keeping the meeting on task and operating according to Robert's Rules of Order. I know every member of the council wants to see the city develop in a fiscally prudent way. Getting “there”, at times, is where the fault lines develop. Here's hoping we each do some personal inventory and fence-mending where necessary.

A pot simmering on the back burner: much to do about the future of Gotham Park

If you follow city news you may have been tracking with the
ongoing discussion regarding the development of Gotham Park. At times, I personally liken that discussion to a pot on the stove on low heat that from time to time boils over. So, what's the big deal?

In 1993 the Gotham family donated the grassy field across the street from Phillips Park for the development of a future park. Since 2016 a small portion of that field has been loaned indefinitely to the City of Chetek Dog Park group which privately maintains that section of the park. With the exception of one Liberty Fest where it was used for a horse pull the only real use the field gets is to serve as a parking area for the Fishy Four and other events which occur at Phillips Park and City Beach. Otherwise it retains the same identity its had since the land was gifted to the city back in the twentieth century – an open, undeveloped field.

NOT drawn to scale

Early in 2023, the Parks and Rec Committee approached the council hoping to secure funding for a design layout of a future sports complex created by Rettler Corporation. The price tag for that study was $3,800 and while there was a lot of discussion about it the council ultimately voted to approve funding for the development of such a design. I recall at least two virtual meetings with representatives from Rettler who first wanted to hear our “wish list” if money was no object. So we gave it to them: a softball field (where the current Dog Park currently is), basketball courts, pickleball and tennis courts. By the second meeting we surrendered the softball field mainly on account of lack of parking and its proximity to residential homes. So Rettler drew us up a premier design that was real beautiful but real pricey as well: it was north of $1.3 million dollars!

Clearly, that was a non-starter. But the Chetek Pickleball Club, which in the last year or so has been an active voice for the development of this park, determined to literally go back to the drawing board and see what could be pared down to a much more “doable” and affordable project. With the generous help of Mark Etten, a retired engineer, they presented a new plan that would be one acre large and include two basketball courts, a tennis court and six pickleball courts along with parking, fencing and the like. They figured the entire project would run $235K. That's a significant reduction in our original plan.

This is the plan we're now working with

In the meantime, on account of the 2022 audit, the city suddenly had unexpected dollars to allocate to certain projects and very quickly Gotham Park assumed center stage of that discussion. Personally I suggested setting aside $100K for the project. Others on the council, however, were more comfortable with $75,000 earmarked for Gotham Park if the Chetek Pickleballers were unable to raise all the monies needed. As the minutes reflect that discussion was very long with at least Third Ward Alderman Terry Hight asserting that before we spent a nickle more we had to hear from the taxpayers via referendum whether to move forward on this venture. At the November 2023 meeting, the majority of the council chose, however, to “park” that $75,000 in the park outlay pending fund raising developments.

We made the news!

(Check out this link)

I'm painting in broad strokes, of course, the history of this most recent venture. Since setting aside that money in a parks outlay at that November meeting, this matter has been returned to again and again. And then two weeks ago, the majority of the council reversed their decision of November 2023 voting 3-1 (with First Ward Alderman Bachowski voting no) that a spring referendum (i.e., April 2025) on the matter was preferred before moving forward on the park's development. 

Here's an image of the Moon Lake Pickleball
Courts in Rice Lake

Every council member involved would tell you that they are “for” the development of such a park. While I may be accused of being Pollyannaish, I don't believe there is an enemy to flush out and wage battle against. To me the devil is in the details; i.e., when to do it and how to pay for it. While the mayor's opinion really doesn't matter unless there is a deadlock, personally I'm for developing the park now given the fact that all things are looking that the Knapp Street Development (once whimsically referred to as “Area 51”) is inching closer to becoming a reality. Once Swiderski breaks ground sometime in 2025 they are on the clock and per their agreement the development will be completed by 2027. If there are unforeseen construction delays, the tax revenues that will be generated from this development will stay due whether they are done or not. That means potentially there could be up to 500 more people living in our community a few years out from now. I think we should start planning now to give them one more reason to relocate here.

The plant is taking shape out there

Of course, the backdrop for all of this is the construction of  the new
Waste Water Treatment Plant (approximately $16 million dollars) and the new water tower (between $2-3 million dollars). Admittedly, that's a lot of zeroes in a town our size and we all recognize that our water and sewer bills have gone up. It makes people nervous and, maybe, downright perplexed whether they can make it given the current nationwide economic conditions. I would just remind everyone of this: these two ventures are once-in-a-generation projects. Call it bad luck, call it what you will but when the DNR says you shall, you shall. And this council should be commended for not kicking the can down the road any further with regards to the shortcomings of our current water stand. What people need to be reminded as well is that both projects are in the Tax Increment District which means the TID will help pay for both of them. So if you can get a park for $75,000 I think that's a fabulous deal given the economic constraints were working with. 

The Chetek Pickleballers, members of the Parks and Rec committee and myself were deflated following August's council meeting. It was a bitter pill to swallow. Frankly, if we couldn't pass a safety referendum this past spring to add an additional police officer and public works employee I don't have a lot of faith that a referendum to develop Gotham Park has a prayer. Having said that it would be a “one-time” deal. It would not require $75,000 a year to maintain the thing. The money is already “there” if the public were to give a thumb's up for the project. Not to be deterred, the Chetek Pickleballers have taken a can-do approach and are currently soliciting funds for the park's development. I'm hoping that they will be wildly successful. Having a sports facility as is proposed would be a great asset for our community as well as to those who visit us. Frankly, I feel it's a win-win-win: good for us, good for our guests and a statement affirming that the future of our city looks very promising.

To be or not to be remains the question
we all have to answer

All about the dust being kicked up all over town (updates on many of our municipal projects)

 

Big enough to get our Vac-Truck inside it

My guess is you already know this but there's a lot going on in town right now and so I thought I'd give you a few updates on some of them:

The Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), current and new

Construction continues at the new site in the south industrial park across from Chetek Lanes. Originally we were slated to be operational by August but delays on account of the supply chain has pushed that out to October. It's not ideal but there is nothing we can do about it. As they say, “it is what it is.”

This is the inside look of the first picture

It's all part of the big plan

Meanwhile if you've tried to make it to the county recycling boxes via First Street you know that currently Water Street by the present WWTP is closed. What's all the to-do there about? The plan calls for our current WWTP to become a lift station and so that's what they're busy with right now. (In the meantime we can still access the recycling site via Lakeview Drive.)

Chetek Municipal-Southworth Airport

The airport was closed on Monday as the first phase of the crack-seal project began. Much like a county road crew will crack-seal a highway we are having something similarly done on the runway at the airport. When complete we're told that it will buy us ten years of longevity. That gives us a little more time to come up with the best solution to replace the runway sometime in the mid 2030s.

The new Water Tower

According to the master plan any day now the crew from Maguire should be returning to begin building our new water tower in earnest. It won't get painted until 2025 but our main goal is to get this thing built and operational so that S.C. Swiderski, the contractor the city has retained for the housing development on Knapp Street, can start moving dirt.

The 39-acres/ “Area 51”

Representatives from Swiderski met with the members of the Chetek Economic Development Committee just last week and brought those members up to the speed on the project. While I was unable to attend, according to the minutes here were a few of their talking points:

● The new cost of the development is $20 million.

● This represents a considerable increase in tax base. Swiderski will pay all necessary taxes

after the TID agreement has been met and whether or not they are at full rental capacity.

● This is a managed property with vetted renters, strict rules and onsite staff (during Business Hours).

● There will be no low-rental housing and Swiderski will help with the marketing of the development.

● Rent projections at this point are between $1100 - $1875.

● No Air BnB nor VRBOs will be allowed.

The current site plan is not set in stone quite yet but it's fair to say the concrete is firming up.

As it looks today(Knapp Street is on top)

City Boat Landing/(Hydroflites)

Last November

Recall that last year a new approach was put in at the City Boat Landing and I have it on good authority that the parking area will be repaved soon.

City Field (a.k.a. Denny Overby Field)

Oh, and one more thing: there seems to be a rumor swirling around town that the city is selling Denny Overby Field. Twice in the last few weeks I've been stopped with the “I heard the city sold the ball field,” comment.

Let's be clear: for the most part everything in our small town is for sale at the right price. But there are no agreements with anyone at this time let alone proposals.So if you hear otherwise consider it not “the bare-facts but the bar-facts.”

For our small town that's a lot of commotion just as our summer residents are returning for the season. But it should excite us too as all things being equal - and if interest rates cooperate - we are positioning ourselves for real growth.

Finally

May is significant for the number of professional recognitions that occur during the month. Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurses Appreciation Week share the same week (which was last week). But last week it was also National Municipal Clerks Week and Public Service Recognition Week. Last December our city went through a significant change when Carmen Newman, our beloved City Clerk for nearly two and a half decades, retired. The council decided to change the internal structure of City Hall and hired Laura Stelzner as our first ever City Administrator and promoted Water Utility Clerk and Deputy Clerk Mark Eby to City Clerk. For the most part the transition has been seamless. Mark continues to grow in his new position and Laura, while new to public service, has handled her new responsibilities with great aplomb. We are fortunate to have them both. What's more Deputy Treasurer Brandy Johnson continues to capably keep our books in order with quiet alacrity.

(l to r): Mark Eby, Laura Stelzner and Brandy Johnson

This week is National Police Week, a week established by President Kennedy back in 1962 to honor those in law enforcement who have died in the line of duty. Both Cameron's and our departments were in Madison on Friday to witness the unveiling of the four new names on the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial including Cameron Officer Hunter Scheel and our own Emily Breidenbach. Through the generous donations of many individuals this week both departments, their families and both Hunter's and Emily's families are in Washington, DC to participate in the ceremonies that will take place there. This includes the unveiling of the names of the newly fallen on the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall just a few blocks from the National Mall. It is a solemn time for all the people involved and I ask that you keep them in prayer as they attend these gatherings.

From the Wisconsin State Patrol FB page

Incidentally, not everyone made the trip. Chetek Police Department is still open for business and some of our guys remain on patrol. We are grateful as well to Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald and the help the county is giving us so that many of our officers can be in DC at this time.

Last but not least next week is National Public Works Week. I don't know how it is in other communities but in Chetek the City has a Facebook page as does the PD. But Public Works? Nope. What's more they are some of the most camera-shy guys to be found. They're not looking for any special attention. They just want to “get 'er done” when it comes to pushing snow, picking up garbage, cleaning out sewers, cutting grass, making sure our waste water keeps flowing where it needs to go and so forth. The funny thing is no one thinks about the Waste Water Treatment Plant and how it functions until the water in our toilet doesn't go down but comes up. Then there's heck to pay, right? Thank God there are guys who know what to do when that or a hundred other things go sideways – and that they work for us! So thank you Public Works Director Dan Knapp, Justin Hutzler, Rod Rhodes, Aaron Roberts, Brandon Davis, Dusty Davis, Matt Hutzler, Joe Atwood, and summer help Josh Eby and Jack Vork. I know you all prefer a low profile but we appreciate all that you do to keep Chetek a great place to live and work.

Note: this was taken in 2016
and a few of those pictured are now retired

The "Nays" have it: the Results of the Public Safety Referendum

from Barron County's website

I'm sure by now you've heard the news. The question has been answered in a fairly resounding manner: yesterday (April 2) of the citizens who voted (457) almost 62% of us voted against the measure to allow the city council to exceed the levy limit by $350,000 annually in perpetuity in order to meet our public safety needs. Never mind that according to City Clerk Mark Eby that since there are 1,204 registered voters within the city limits only 37% of us showed up to cast our vote. For all I know that may be common for a spring election. It's a mute point. The outcome remains the same: the “nays” have it.

Maybe those who voted no did so because of their concerns about inflation and other real-and- present-danger economic matters. Maybe the timing is bad with the increase in our water and sewer rates on account of the new waste water treatment plant currently under construction and the new water tower soon to be constructed. Maybe they just don't want to pay more property taxes than they already do. Whatever their reasons clearly we (the council) did not make a convincing enough argument to persuade them otherwise. 

What does that mean in the short term?

Nothing. Our police will continue to patrol as they always have and Chetek Public Works will continue to wear the many hats they do in order to serve us all. While technically we are a “24/7” police department, the truth is we are out of service on a limited basis regularly on account of lack of staffing. It is what it is.

What does that mean longer term?

If Chetek PD wants to maintain our roster as it is now (5 full-time officers) we will need to look for other revenue streams such as the COPS grant (technically the COPS Hiring Program administered by the Department of Justice). Lucky for us our City Administrator Laura Stelzner has experience as a grant writer. That being said there are no guarantees that we will be approved for this program. 

This morning I had a conversation with Chief in his office. Obviously, like the rest of us who were favor of the question, he's disappointed that it didn't pass. Even so he wasn't hang dog about it. Rather, he displayed a “can-do” attitude and assured me that the department will carry on doing their best to keep our citizens safe. 

Dan Conway was a Hall of Fame Cross Country coach who is remembered fondly by those who either ran for him or served with him. In 1982 and 1983, Chetek ruled the entire state in what was then the Class C (now Division 3) High School Cross Country programs. He was, until his passing in 2018, a living legend. Before he died he

penned his memoirs titled Carry On Regardless. It's not only a good read but in my opinion a great way to approach life as well. Things happen, disappointments occur, plans don't work out. Even so, we must carry on regardless and finish whatever race we're running. Chief Ron Ambrozaitus and Public Works Director Dan Knapp have just this mindset with regards to the tasks set before them and for that I'm very grateful.

Even though I ran unopposed, I want to thank everyone for the vote of confidence you extended to me yesterday helping me to win another term as mayor (next week my fifth term will begin). I am very grateful for the ongoing support and attaboys I regularly receive as I seek to fulfill the office of mayor. My main goal has always been to do good work for the city that has been our home for over 32 years now. Truth be told, I love this town and I hope that during the next two years my actions as mayor will again prove that.

from Barron County's website

And the answer is...

 Next Tuesday, April 2, there's an election happening here in town.
Besides the Democratic and Republican primary candidates, there are four individuals running for three school board positions (Carrie Tracyzk, Cheryl Razim, Janene Haselhuhn and John Banks), and a few others running unopposed for different positions: Barron County Supervisor District 3 (John Banks), Ward 2 Alderman (Earl Grover), Ward 4 Alderman (Thea Hemple) and myself for mayor. There are three questions on the ballot as well, two of which pertain to the Wisconsin State constitution, and the other pertains to what the city council is requesting of its citizenry: to exceed the state levy by $350,000 annually for the purpose of hiring more police officers, public works staff and support staff.

Officially, it reads like this:

Vote for one

"Under State law, the increase in the levy of the City of Chetek for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2024, is limited to 2.135%, which results in a levy of $1,350,665. Shall the City of Chetek be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2024, for the purpose of enhancing Public Safety within the community through hiring and equipping more Police Officers, Public Works staff and support staff, by a total of 25.913%, which results in a levy of $1,700,665 and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $350,000 for each fiscal year going forward?"

Yes or No

(From MyVote Wisconsin)

If you choose to vote yes, it will allow the Chetek Police Department to continue to operate with five full-time officers AND hire an additional full-time officer. What's more it will allow Chetek Public Works Department to hire one additional staff member.

If you choose to vote no, in the short term it will mean that come fiscal year 2025 we will have to eliminate one full-time officer from our roster unless other solutions present themselves before then. It will also mean that Dan Knapp and crew will have to carry on as usual with the staff they currently have.

(Note: Chris Kroeze is not a member of 
the Chetek PD)

As a city our desire is to maintain a 24/7 police department. That
is, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at least one Chetek PD officer is active and on patrol within the city. It used to be that our roster could be filled out with a compliment of both full and part-time officers. Due to the change in the national culture, however, part-time police officers are rare and hard to come by. Not as many cadets are in the academy these days and many times by the time they get there they are already claimed by other departments. If this referendum fails it will mean that there will be times when Chetek PD will be out of service. Of course, we're grateful that during those times we can count on the County for coverage – but only in emergencies. As it has been explained to me by Sheriff Fitzgerald, in any given shift there are 5 deputies on duty throughout the county (providing no one is out ill or on vacation). While I'm not threatening “longer response times” I think it is fair to say a rejection of this question will mean diminished services.

The base of the new water tower
(courtesy of Mark Peterson)

Our city is currently going through some growth pains. We are past the half-way mark on the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) which is supposed to be complete and on-line by November of this year. What's more, any day now we can expect the crew that will be constructing our new water tower to return and finish the work they began last fall. They, too, promise to be done later this year. We have a signed agreement with SC Swiderski to develop the 39 acres on the west end of town upon completion of the water tower. Once its up and operational they promise to break ground. And according to our agreement, once they break ground they promise to complete the entire project (116 units of single family, twin homes and apartments) within two years! Potentially we could have as many as 500 people moving to town in the next couple of years. Even if Dan Knapp can't tell us yet if the new WWTP will require more man-hours than our current one requires to operate, more people will mean more garbage and demand for more services.

Again, if the question is rejected, Dan and his crew will continue to carry on the best they can but they're only human and can only be so many places at once. We may – and I stress “may” as I don't have access to a crystal ball even if I had the desire to use it – have to accept diminished services. Time will tell.

The flyer that was sent out to
Chetek citizens

Earlier this month the council sent out an informational flyer to all
city residents that either receive a water bill or garbage services. If you are a renter, you may not have received this as it went to your landlord. You may want to call him or her for a copy of that flyer or feel free to stop in at City Hall this week and pick one up for yourself. We have also hosted four listening sessions at The Center all of which have been very sparsely attended. Either that means the flyer explains the matter perfectly or people have already made up their mind one way or another how they're going to vote. We'll all know soon enough.

Asking for more money for taxes is never a popular campaign slogan. I know the members of the council well enough to know that if another way could have been found without having to go this route they would have found it. A few of them are retired and are not overly excited of opening up that envelope come December and finding a higher tax bill. But as we see it we feel its the best option presently available to us that will guarantee that the city continues to function in a safe, healthy and responsible way.

Thank you for your consideration in the matter. My wife and I have lived in Chetek for over 32 years and have always found this community generous at heart and thoughtful in its decision making processes. I trust you will do what you think best come April 2.

We're all ears: Hearing from you about the upcoming public safety referendum

 

If you are a resident of the city by now you should have received a letter in the mail spelling out the details of the upcoming referendum on April 2. On that day residents will be asked to weigh in at the ballot box their opinion of whether or not the city may exceed the revenue limit by $350,000 annually from here on forward. If the measure is successful it will mean continued funding for a current officer of the Chetek Police Department and the ability to hire an additional officer in order to be fully staffed. It will also mean we could add another full-time public works employee.

This is a miniaturized version of
what you should have received in the mail

City Clerk Mark Eby created the letter and in my opinion he breaks it down pretty simply into what a “yes” or a “no” vote means. Succinctly, a “yes” vote means that we can move ahead with our hiring goals (i.e., maintain one full-time officer, hire an additional full-time officer and hire a full-time public works employee). A “no” vote means that both the public safety and work expectations will remain the same but we will have insufficient staffing to fulfill those expectations.

Chetek is never without police coverage. But in the last year on account of the inability to secure part-time officers and individuals in the department either on medical leave or vacation, there have been “gaps” in local coverage. When that has happened, the County has covered us as that is what mutual aid is all about. As I understand it, on any given shift there are six deputies on patrol throughout the county. But if a few of those deputies are dealing with a matter in, say, Turtle Lake, and a 9-1-1 call comes in, as fast as they can leg it they will be on scene – provided what's going on in Turtle Lake doesn't demand their attention first. I'm oversimplifying it a bit, but I think you get the drift: you can't be everywhere at once and so as the letter states, a “no” vote means both diminished services and longer response times.

The same goes for our public works department. As you probably already are aware, our guys wear a lot of hats and there's just so much they can get done on a given day. And with the new housing development coming (i.e., the 39 acre property west of the high school that is slated for construction beginning in 2025), there's going to be a lot more people for them to serve.

Still, we are sympathetic with those who are already struggling with the current economic conditions and are leery to voting “yes” to any new taxes. Having said that, it is the council's role to bring the very best oversight to city business and it is our opinion that this option is a viable and “do-able” one.

We want to hear your questions and give you the opportunity to express your concerns about the referendum. To that end we are offering four listening sessions during the month of March. The first is this Friday, March 8 at The Center (711 First Street) during the soup and salad bar lunch from 11:30-12:30 pm. Chief Ambrozaitus, Dan Knapp, City Administrator Laura Stelzner, City Clerk Mark Eby and myself will be available to hear what you have to say. As detailed in the letter here are the other listening sessions, all of which will be held at The Center.

• Monday, March 11 at 6 pm

• Friday, March 22 at 11:30 am

• Tuesday, March 26 at 6 pm

It's happening: Referendum and the Spring 2024 election

 

When I ran for mayor
in 2016, the first 100
homes were given this flyer

When I ran for mayor the first time in 2016, I knocked on many doors asking for people's consideration as they voted in the upcoming election. More than a few remarked to me: “If I do vote for you, please don't raise my taxes!” At the time, I didn't have a clue how municipal government worked. Since then I've learned a thing or two but trying to sum it up in a few concise statements is challenging to say the least.

For example, a city council or village board can't just willy-nilly
“raise taxes” to satisfy their budget. Imagine if they could! Then every small town would have a municipal pool or whatever was the item residents or their elected leaders thought they needed for their community. On the contrary, the State of Wisconsin sets a levy limit for each community, based on a certain formula, that informs the council the maximum amount of levy they can collect on property taxes. If the financial obligations of the city exceed the revenues that are collected one of three things must happen: the city may borrow money (which creates other issues), the city may cut or diminish services it provides or ask the citizens for permission to exceed the levy limit that the State has set for us. Unlike the federal government which can (and does!) print money, every municipal government must live within its means, Chetek included.

We are at one of those moments. At January's common council meeting the council voted unanimously to go to referendum this April. We are asking the citizens of Chetek to exceed our levy limit by $350,000 annually in order to sustain the full-time police officer recently hired, add an additional full-time officer and add one additional public works employee. For how long will we need to exceed the levy? The legal term is “in perpetuity.” In other words, forever. If the referendum is successful it would cost approximately $180/year per $100K of property value, $120 of which would go to pay for the two police officers and $80 for public works.

Chief Ron (left) with new Chetek PO
Connor Haukom

Why do we feel we need to take this action at this time? Currently,
we want to remain a “24/7” community meaning that local police protection is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. In the past, our police department was made up of an assortment of full-time and part-time officers. Due to national trends in law enforcement it has become nigh unto impossible to find part-time police officers these days. There are just not as many recruits as there once were. And every part-timer naturally wants to secure full-time employment.

If you are one of the crew at Chetek Public Works you wear many hats. Picking up garbage, pushing snow, checking on lift stations, maintaining equipment, cleaning out sewers and the list goes on. What's more, the new waste water treatment plant that is presently under construction is a bit more complex operation than the one we presently have. If I understand what Public Works Director Dan Knapp is telling me, it's too soon to tell if we will need to allocate more man-power there but either way the need in his department is real.

In the weeks and months leading up to the vote on April 2 it is our plan to provide opportunities to educate the public on our present budgetary needs. This will involve information that will be released in the paper and on-line. What's more, we will be providing “listening sessions” with Chief of Police Ron Ambrozaitus, Public Works Director Dan Knapp and City Administrator Laura Stelzner in order to hear and receive questions about the needs of these departments as well as the particulars of the referendum.

At this stage, no question is dumb so feel free to ask away by emailing me at chetekmayor@cityofchetekwi.us or calling me at 715-925-6078. The council and I are cognizant that this is a weighty decision for our community to make and are sensitive to the financial realities involved.