Menomonie City Council sets TID and operating budgets

1. Roll Call

The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Menomonie, Dunn County, Wisconsin, was called to order by Mayor Knaack at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The following members were present: Luther, Crowe, Sutherland,

Yonko, Pickard, Schwebs, Gentz, Solberg, Erdman and Sommerfeld. Brennan was absent.

2. Approval of Minutes

Erdman made a motion and Pickard seconded it to approve the Minutes from the December 1, 2025, City Council Meeting. The minutes were approved.

3. Public Comments (agenda items only).

Rebecca Schoenborn from Downtown Menomonie, Inc. stated she was hopeful for TIF support in 2026.

Lucas Chase, Executive Director of the Mabel Tainter requested that the funding for the theatre through TIF 15 should be $60,000 but the theatre can live with $45,000 which is the amount of funding in 2025. The $30,000 in the 2026 budget is not enough. If the city continues to decrease funding, the theatre will have to reduce the number of shows.

4. Old Business:
   1. Proposed Ordinance 2025-12, an Ordinance amending portions of Section 10-4-7 Off Street Parking – discussion, possible waiver of second reading and possible adoption.

Public Works Director Schofield stated there have been changes to the ordinance since it was originally proposed and at the last meeting the first reading was approved. There is no impact to properties unless they change use and there are eight or more parking stalls, then the lot would need concrete or asphalt paving. Eight was the chosen to cover 4 and 6 plex apartments. Council member Luther made a motion that was seconded by Schwebs to waive the second reading of Proposed Ordinance 2025-12, an Ordinance amending portions of Section 10-4-7 Off Street Parking. It was approved. The second motion brought by Luther and seconded by Schwebs was to adopt Proposed Ordinance 2025-12, an Ordinance amending portions of Section 10-4-7 Off Street Parking. It was approved.

2. Proposed Ordinance 2025-13, an Ordinance creating Section 10-4-11 Site Lighting – discussion, possible waiver of second reading and possible adoption.

The first motion brought by Luther and seconded by Crowe was to waive the second reading of Proposed Ordinance 2025-13, an Ordinance creating Title 10, Chapter 4, Section 11 Site Lighting. It was approved. The second motion was brought by Gentz and seconded by Crowe to adopt Proposed Ordinance 2025-13, an Ordinance creating Title 10, Chapter 4, Section 11 Site Lighting. It was approved.

5. New Business:
   1. Proposed collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the MPPA Local 45 and the City of Menomonie for January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026 – discussion and possible action.

Atkinson stated the labor agreement has been under discussion for quite some time. The Mayor commented that it is a fair agreement and it sets the standards for the rest of the city wage increases. The ratified CBA contains a 3% wage adjustment for 2025 and 3% wage adjustment for 2026. Also, the uniform allowance was increased $50.00 in 2025 and 2026. The field training officer salary was raised to an additional $1.00 an hour while training new officer recruits. Crowe introduced a motion that was seconded by Schwebs to approve the proposed Collective Bargaining Agreement between the MPPA Local 45 and the City of Menomonie for January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026. This was approved by a roll-call vote, with all voting yes.

2. Proposed 2026 Water Utility operating budget – discussion and possible action.

The City Administrator stated that the budgets the Council is being asked to approve tonight are separate from the general fund. In addition to serving the City of Menomonie, the water utility provides water for Rusk at the same price as that of Menomonie, but there is no sewer provided for Rusk—just water. Typically, revenues will exceed expenses. Council member Sommerfeld made a motion that was seconded by Solberg to approve the proposed 2026 Water Utility Operating Budget, with revenues of $2,600,300 and expenses of $2,885,340. A roll call vote approved this.

3. Proposed 2026 Wastewater Utility operating budget – discussion and possible action.

The City Administrator stated that, like the water utility, the wastewater utility has an extensive budget that covers many accounts. It is a revenue-generating department. The Superintendent is retiring in early 2026. Council member Ryland made a motion, which was seconded by Sommerfeld, to approve the Proposed 2026 Wastewater Utility Operating Budget, with revenues of $3,528,641 and expenses of $3,379,881. Council member Erdman asked what happens when revenues exceed expenses. There is a reserve fund that can be used to fund future projects. Council Member Luther asked why there is a $100,000 increase in engineering services. This is to start some facility planning for projects in 2027 and 2028. This was approved by a roll-call vote, with all voting yes.

4. Proposed 2026 Storm Water Utility operating budget – discussion and possible action.

The City Administrator stated that the revenues usually equal expenses for this utility. Environmental Services Coordinator Megen Hines answered the Mayor’s question regarding stormwater ponds. There are 35 public and 90 private ponds. Single-family residential customers are charged for one Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) every quarter ($12.50). All others are charged based on surface area. The city is doing well toward its goal of reducing runoff. Council Member Pickard made a motion, and it was seconded by Schwebs to approve the proposed 2026 Storm Water Utility Operating Budget, totaling $850,000 in revenues and expenses. This was approved by a roll-call vote, with all voting yes.

5. Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Utility operating budget – discussion and possible action.

Environmental Services Coordinator Hines spoke again about the solid waste program. Services include collecting refuse, recycling, scrap metal, used oil, and yard waste. Council Member Yonko said she just got her 2026 permit online, and the system worked well. Council member Pickard made a motion, seconded by Sommerfeld, to approve the proposed 2026 Solid Waste Utility Operating Budget, with revenues of $626,000 and expenses of $626,588. It was approved by roll-call vote, with all voting yes.

6. Proposed 2026 Tax Increment Financing Districts operating budgets – discussion and possible action.

City Administrator Atkinson mentioned each TIF has slightly different financing. Additional discussions about TIF 15 resulted due to the two people providing comments earlier in the meeting. Three different Engineering Services amounts are budgeted. These are different road studies, for example, moving the highway off Main Street. These costs are state costs. A motion was made by Crowe and seconded by Erdman to allow the two people to speak. The first was Lucas Chase, who provided information on where the revenues for the Mabel Tainter come from. He stated 25% are from ticket sales and 25% are from the Spirit Room. The remaining funding comes from donations. The Mabel Tainter is trying to use donations for building repairs. The theatre can’t bring bigger shows due to its size. Chase mentioned a couple of similarly sized theatres in the state that are fully funded by the cities where they are located. At one point, the City was providing $80,000 a year in funding.

Rebecca Schoenborn provided further information on Downtown Menomonie, Inc.’s funding needs and how they are working harder on fundraising. There was no change to the Downtown Menomonie budget in the 2026 budget. Council member Yonko made a motion to increase the 2026 funding for the Mabel Tainter to $45,000, consistent with the 2025 funding. This was seconded by Council member Pickard. All voted yes. Council member Crowe made a motion that was seconded by Pickard to approve the Proposed 2026 Tax Increment Financing District operating budgets for TIDs with the change for the Mabel.

TIF District    Revenues        Expenses    
13    $363,069         $67,000     
14    $187,230         $517,000     
15    $562,059     *    $415,500     
16    $140,402         $147,973     
17    $334,181         $212,296     
18    $95,850         $21,500     
19    $0         $2,000     
                
*Includes $15,000 increase for the Mabel Tainter

This was approved via a roll call vote with all voting yes.

7. Proposed 2026 Construction Fund capital budget – discussion and possible action.

City Administrator Atkinson stated that funding for this program is already secured. Council member Sommerfeld made a motion, seconded by Schwebs, to approve the Proposed 2026 Construction Fund capital budget with revenues of $930,241 and expenses of $2,237,038. This was approved by a roll-call vote, with all voting yes.

8. Resolution 2025-19, a Resolution Setting the Spring 2026 Primary Election date to be Tuesday February 17, 2026 – discussion and possible action.

This is a formality required by state statute. A motion was made by Crowe and seconded by Sutherland to Approve Resolution 2025-19, setting the Spring 2026 Primary Election Date to be Tuesday, February 17, 2026. It was approved unanimously.

9. Consider Appointment of 2026/2027 Election Inspectors – discussion and possible action.

A proposed list of 2026/2027 Election Inspectors was distributed to Council Members. Council Member Pickard made a motion, seconded by Solberg to approve the appointment of the 2026/2027 Election Inspector list. This was approved unanimously.

10. Consider Mayoral Appointment of Rebecca Thacker to Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee – discussion and possible action.

Mayor Knaack recommended appointing Rebecca Thacker as a new member to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. A motion was made by Yonko and seconded by Sutherland to approve the Mayoral Appointment of Rebecca Thacker to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. This was approved unanimously.

11. Update regarding Well #9 Project – discussion only (no action).

Director of Public Works Schofield stated that the site will be in Wakanda Park by ball diamond number 7. It will be one well that can pump 1000 gallons a minute. It will be a similar design to well number 6. It will be built in 2 phases with the first phase being the well and the second phase the water treatment equipment. The cost for phase one is $6.6 million. A grant from the DNR will result in $1.6 million of loan forgiveness. Phase 2 cost is $2 million. The city will apply for a $1 million DNR loan forgiveness grant.

6. Budget Transfers

No budget transfers were received.

7. Mayor’s Report

The Town is doing well. He took some visitors to the Mabel. He is proud of the Council and City staff. And all the nonprofits work so hard.

8. Communications and Miscellaneous Business

Council member Pickard reminded everyone that when you go out to adopt your new Christmas pet, don't discount adopting a senior pet. Sutherland plugged the youth sports program. The Mayor complimented the winter parade. Contact Community Services to report sidewalks not shoveled. Council member Solberg complimented the street department on the snow clean up after the last storm.

Schofield reminded the council that there was a Press Release regarding the land sale to SPA Properties / Amazon of $1.1 million. There will be no TIF. The facility should be open late summer 2026 and provide work for 100 employees.

A Special City Council meeting will be held on Monday December 22, 2025, at 7 pm to confer with legal counsel.

Saturday is Stout’s fall graduation

9. Claims

A motion was made by Luther and seconded Solberg by to approve the Claims list.

10. Licenses
11. Normal license list – discussion and possible action

A motion was made by Luther and seconded by Ryland to approve the License list:

Change of Agent – Lucas Chase Mabel Tainter.

Temporary Class “B” Beer and Wine – Rotary Fest 04/18/2026

Temporary Class “B” Beer – Rotary Club Sadistic Century 08/15/2026

It was a simple majority vote with all Council members voting to approve.

11. Adjourn

Council member Gentz made a motion to adjourn which was seconded by Pickard.