Fitchburg Finance Committee Meeting Summary – July 28, 2026

The City of Fitchburg Finance Committee convened on July 28, 2026, to review the Finance Director's report and vote on several resolutions. Key topics included the monthly Treasurer's Report, a proposal for a flexible parameter-based debt sale of roughly $22 million to fund the police facility and other capital projects, an update on the transition to the new UKG payroll system, and the adoption of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Resolutions were passed regarding the Efficiency Navigator program, subdivision improvements on Basswood Drive, an economic development marketing campaign, and a data center lease renewal.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: The Committee approved the minutes from the June 22, 2026 and June 23, 2026 meetings.
• Review of Bills: The Committee accepted the detailed review of checks for $10,000 and above ($2,756,534.87), all checks issued ($2,915,982.62), ACH payments ($512,631.97), and PCAR transactions ($234,770.62) for the cycles ending July 15, 2026, and June 8, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• There were no public appearances for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Finance Director Report: The Director reported that the 2024 debt issuance proceeds are nearly fully spent ($1,500 remaining) on the police facility. Councilmember Bill noted a 68% decrease in debt proceeds, which the Director attributed to the timing of Metro payments. The Tax Incremental District (TID) annual reports were reviewed, with the Director noting the city's TIDs are healthy due to the pay-as-you-go structure. Councilmember Bill asked about value decreases in some TIDs, which the Director attributed to the removal of personal property from taxable value. The Director proposed a $22 million "parameter" debt sale for greater market flexibility, which council supported. The switch to the UKG payroll system is active, with police and fire timecards transitioning from paper by year's end.
• Resolution R-127-26 (Efficiency Navigator Land Use Restriction Agreement): Staff presented the agreement (LURA) to ensure properties receiving upgrades remain affordable for five years. Discussion covered whether the term should scale with the investment. Staff confirmed it was balanced based on stakeholder engagement and had legal review.
• Resolution R-128-26 (Efficiency Navigator Implementation Agreement): This resolution allocates $400,000 for the program. Council discussed streamlining approval by allowing staff to administratively sign contracts, with regular updates. Sustained Dane staff noted the program has no hard cap per building but typically maxes out around $75,000–$80,000 and sometimes uses cost-sharing.
• Resolution R-13-26 (Basswood Drive Subdivision Improvements): The Committee approved a second amendment to the agreement with Sub Zero Group Inc. for resurfacing Basswood Drive, with the city reimbursing costs from the street resurfacing fund.
• Resolution R-144-26 (In-Business Marketing Insert): Mike Zimmerman presented a one-time transfer of $25,000 in unrestricted room tax dollars for four one-page inserts in "In Business" to promote the Forward Fitchburg economic development plan.
• Resolution R-145-26 (US Signal Data Center Lease Renewal): The Committee approved a 36-month renewal of the 1 Necker data center lease for approximately $2,100 per month ($76,000 total).

Key Outcomes

• Adopted Resolutions: R-127-26, R-128-26, R-13-26, R-144-26, and R-145-26 were all adopted by voice vote.
• Debt Sale: The Finance Director was authorized to proceed with a parameter-based competitive debt sale for 2026.
• CIP: The process to adopt the Capital Improvement Plan was initiated.
• Next Meeting: The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for August 11, 2026.
• Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:11 PM.