Council seeks negotiation from JWP

At their Aug. 11 meeting, members of the Janesville city council expressed a desire to reopen conversations about the School Resource Officer (SRO), a city police department member who helps plan and lead safety activities at the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP) school district. 

 

Talks between the city and school district regarding the position have spanned the last several months. 

 

City manager Clinton Rogers explains the SRO has previously spent nearly all school-year working hours at the school building. In exchange, the school district refunded the city more than $83,000 toward SRO wages in 2023-’24 and well over $89,000 in 2024-’25.

 

Last spring, JWP indicated it wanted to reduce its cost for the SRO program, and after numerous discussions, an agreement was reached that, beginning January 1, 2026, the school district would begin paying $20,000 a year and the officer would devote more time to typical police department duties, working at the school only 16 hours a week.

 

Under the terms of that negotiation, JWP was to continue paying monthly installments based on the $89,000 amount through the end of the year, but recently requested that the start date for the new agreement be changed to Sept. 1, which would reduce the amounts of the last four expected reimbursements for the year by more than three-fourths. Council members are hoping a compromise can be reached, possibly beginning the terms of the new contract on Nov. 1.

 

 During public forum, District 19A Representative Tim Allen from Kenyon introduced himself and offered to schedule a designated time when he could provide an update regarding legislative activity. He mentioned the legislature had preserved funding for the local government aid (LGA) program. He also stated legislative action had kept tax increases from being implemented “to offset some of the budgetary problems that have been happening up at the capitol.”

 

The other thing, he added, was a bonding bill passed which was focused mostly on state projects, cities, and roads, but there were some communities who did receive some dollars in order to help with the bonding.

 

Also during public forum, resident Ron Bruegger expressed concern about how the finances of the city-owned golf course are being handled. He said he has done some research on his own and has become highly skeptical of the course’s practice of retaining both a course manager and a golf pro. He went on to express criticism of the city’s money management system in general 

 

Rogers read a letter from  business owner Clinton Broviak of Synergy Homecare. Broviak stated he could not be present, but that he had numerous concerns regarding recent council discussions about reducing the length of time vehicles could park along Main Street during business hours. Broviak stated the proposed enforcement would gravely complicate the workday for his employees. The letter also commented on the loss of productivity and valuable work time which would ultimately lead to financial impact on his business. Broviak stated his employees already park a block or more away because of the limited availability.

 

He also mentioned inconvenience to tenants who live in apartments above downtown buildings. 

 

After reading the letter, Rogers asked council members to ponder Broviak’s statements and let him know their thoughts. 

Later in the meeting, Scott Allen announced his plans to retire fairly soon from the clubhouse at Prairie Ridge Golf Course. Rogers asked the council if they preferred a clubhouse manager again or a pro golf player. Councilor Kyle Luitjens said since he wasn’t a golf guy, he was unsure of what the responsibilities were for both.

 

Councilor Andy Ahlman responded that the clubhouse manager runs the daily tasks of clubhouse tournaments, events, and league play but also teaches golf lessons.

 

“Historically speaking, we had a clubhouse manager,” Rogers said and added the council back at the time decided they wanted a licensed golf professional, a PGA.

 

“I’d like to see the financial aspect of it or how much we are going to lose from lessons and having a pro versus just having someone oversee it,” Luitjens stated.

 

Ahlman said the PGA earns the money from the golf lessons.

 

“The personnel committee is leaning towards a manager,” he added and, in addition to minimum and preferred qualifications when the new job description is written, it would also be mandatory that the individual is familiar with the game of golf.

 

In other news, residents asked the city to purchase a sign raising awareness of the presence of an autistic child. After some discussion, the council asked to come back at the next meeting with some figures on the pricing and wording of the sign.

 

In other matters, starting in September, the council plans to meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.

 

The council adjourned at 7:47 p.m.