Janesville city levy approved

The Janesville Council approved the city’s 2023 budget and tax levy of 9.9 percent Monday, December 12. It was a goal of the city council to try to get the levy as close to a single digit increase as possible despite inflation and other cost increases which threatened to take the levy into double digits.

City Administrator Clinton Rogers praised everyone for doing their part in putting together the budget. “Thanks to the council, utility, and general fund employees for putting this budget together,” he said. “Thanks to city employees who helped with this.”

Rogers noted that the cost per capita to pay for the city’s general fund would be $2.40 a day or $73.44 a month. The number was based on a population of about 2,450 Janesville residents.

He observed that 40 percent of the city’s revenue comes from local government aid, much like it does for other towns of Janesville’s size. Only about 25 percent of this year’s general fund revenues will come from taxes.

Expenses for public safety rose from 34 percent to 39 percent. Rogers explained that the city is now required to include building inspections as a public safety expense. “It’s because inspectors are looking at building safety and making sure things are up to fire code,” he said. “It’s why the city hall expenses went down to 24 percent in 2023.”

Public works is anticipated to take up 26 percent of the budget, while the cost of elections and pay for council members and administration will make up about 7 percent. The library and cemetery expenses will make up 4 percent of the budget.

Public Forum

Janesville resident Ron Bruegger questioned the council about allowing the Janesville Area Golfers’ Association (JAGA) to sell golf carts at Prairie Ridge Golf Course without the council voting to give them permission.

“It was stated at the November 14 meeting that the council suggested letting JAGA sell the golf carts,” Bruegger pushed. “But I looked back as far as 2011, and there was never a vote taken on it. It was never suggested.”

The council admitted they did not know the dealings that took place back in 2017, when it was speculated the council gave JAGA permission to sell golf carts that they leased for the golf course. Bruegger felt that the city should be reimbursed $48,000 by JAGA for the sale of the golf carts.

“Something was done on the sideline,” Bruegger speculated. “We need more transparency on this deal.”

“Which is exactly what we were doing at the last meeting,” Mayor Andy Arnoldt said.

City council member Jim Mulcahey felt that the money made from the golf cart sales technically wasn’t the city’s money. “We lease the golf carts, and when the lease has expired, we have no fiduciary responsibility on those carts. Apparently, it was understood that if JAGA wanted to take those carts and resell them and pay off the lease company, they could.”

Mulcahey said he agreed with Bruegger that any money JAGA makes from the golf carts going forward should run through the city books to “take away any opportunity of underhanded dealings.” But he felt that the council couldn’t go back.

There was back and forth between Bruegger and the council until Rogers suggested they stopped arguing. “All he’ll do is argue with you,” he added.

Other Business

An old business item dealing with some heating issues with a property on Main Street in Janesville was removed from the agenda as both the residents and the owners “were reaching an agreement.” This issue was discussed at the last council meeting on November 28 but was tabled at the advice of City Attorney Jason Moran.

Jason Nieson of Waste Management talked to the council about switching pickup days from every Wednesday to every Monday for garbage, with recycling moved from odd-week Wednesdays to even-week Mondays. The council approved the change, which will be effective beginning the week of January 1. Nieson assured the council that notifications to customers would go out right away.

Rogers asked Nieson if Waste Management would be able to take care of billing for recycling, which is currently managed by the city. “It does confuse residents, especially new ones.”

Nieson had no problem with the change. However, the council will need to hold a public hearing since they would need to amend the city code to make the change happen.

The council initially looked at two bids acquired by Public Works Manager Joe Ziemke toward the purchase of a new Workman vehicle for his department. However, the council was not satisfied with the options. While a bid from Toro for $28,085.83 had “all the equipment needed” according to Ziemke, one from Arnold’s did not include some equipment the department needs.

“This isn’t apples to apples,” Mulcahey expressed. “I’m disappointed that Joe wouldn’t bring in a bid with similar items. I don’t have an issue if he wants a Toro. But I want a more comparable bid.”

Fellow council member Melissa Kopachek agreed and suggested the council table the issue. “I want to ask a few questions about this and have a better bid option.”

Other items approved included some transferring of fund balances, appointments to boards and commissions, and a deferred assessment for a property on Allyn Street.

Reports

Both Mayor Arnoldt and Utilities Manager Nate Zimmerman reported that the Light and Power Board has approved budgets for water and electricity which include power plan upgrades.

“We will continue on with the substation,” Zimmerman told the council. “We are looking for a more permanent solution to replace it. We need to get it out of the plant before it goes more catastrophic.”

The board is looking for possible grant opportunities to cover future substation expenses. “The sky’s the limit on grants,” Zimmerman said. “We just want to get our name in the hat for that.”

Administrator Rogers reported that the city received its second-half property taxes which totaled about $593,000. He also shared that the state updated the city on its status with the Safe Routes.

“The federal grant will be more than originally said,” he added. “We’re moving the project to about spring of 2023.”

To date, the city has accrued $141.500 in expenses for the Safe Routes project. Rogers told the council he will get a report from City Engineer Jason Femrite that details where the money has gone.

The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. The council decided not to have a second meeting in December and will meet again January 9, 2023.