Fitchburg, Wisconsin Finance Committee Meeting — August 25, 2026

The Fitchburg, Wisconsin, Finance Committee met on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, to hear the finance director's report, review city payments, and act on six resolutions concerning fire department budgets, hiring two additional career firefighters, ratifying the IAFF collective bargaining agreement, and awarding the Well Facility No. 12 construction contract. The meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the August 11, 2026, meeting were approved by voice vote with no nays recorded, on a motion by Alder Jetzer.
• The detailed review of checks of $10,000 and above, issued August 1–15, 2026, totaling $2,191,794.36, was accepted with no comments or questions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public appeared in chambers or on Zoom for public appearances on non-agenda items.

Finance Director Report

• Moody's issuer comment: The finance director reported that Moody's issued an issuer comment comparing the city's statistics with other triple-A-rated communities. Overall statistics are aligned with the city's rating, though one number appears incorrect and will be addressed during the 2026 debt issuance presentation.
• Water utility rates: The Public Service Commission approved the city's simplified rate case; the 3% increase will be effective for September bills issued in December.
• Budget process: The first budget meetings with the mayor were held that day; the mayor's proposed budget is due in mid-September, followed by a special finance committee meeting with department head presentations.
• Payroll software: Two payrolls have been processed on the new UKG payroll software, and notice was given to the previous provider. The police department's paper timesheets remain a hurdle, but the finance director said the city is "on the right path" and gave "huge kudos" to the HR and payroll teams.

Review of Bills — Discussion

• Beaver removal: An alderperson asked about a payment to Beast Busters for beaver removal. Tim (Public Works) explained that beavers at McKee Farms Ponds were damming stormwater pipes with trees and causing flooding; two beavers were removed.
• Duplicate transactions: An alderperson questioned two identical sets of transactions for Google YouTube TV and Dell PCs in the PCAR report. Scott (city staff) explained that the YouTube TV charges cover stations two and three, which cannot share one account because of different addresses; the city switched from Spectrum to YouTube TV and is saving over 50% per month, with a third transaction expected once station one is switched (with Dane County permission). The matching account numbers reflect the fire department's line (100-5220) and the sales tax reimbursement account (100-13100). Scott noted YouTube TV has been difficult regarding sales tax, but the city is confident the issue will be resolved.

Resolutions

• R163-26 (fire medical supplies budget amendment): Approved. Chief Sarver explained the city had surplus defibrillator pads for AEDs and monitors and resold some to Fitch-Rona, which was in a shortage position, with county involvement.
• R164-26 (fire background checks budget amendment): Approved. Background check costs increased after changes made following 2025 budget planning, and the fire department exceeded HR's budgeted amount. The $12,000 transfer comes from the unused 2026 police facility utilities account and covers seven additional candidates currently in background checks.
• R166-26 (hiring two additional firefighters): Approved. The chief cited staffing challenges, a diminishing pool of part-time candidates, and shorter tenure among part-timers who are hired away by other organizations. The two career firefighters will fill a significant gap and limit overtime. The amendment covers the general fund, insurance fund, and technology fund budgets.
• R169-26 (2025–2027 IAFF collective bargaining agreement): Approved. The contract went through mediation and arbitration; the city prevailed in arbitration, and the agreement settles the contract in parallel with MOUs to be considered at the council meeting.
• R171-26 (Well Facility No. 12 bid award): Approved. The 2018 Water System Master Plan recommends a new high-capacity well. The project was advertised by legal notice on July 22 and July 29, 2026, in the Wisconsin State Journal and on QuestCDN.com. JH Hassinger Incorporated's low bid of $3,725,045 was found compliant; the award is $3,911,297.25 including a 5% contingency, under the engineer's estimate. The resolution includes a two-thirds budget amendment vote to use park improvement fees and fees in lieu of land dedication for restrooms and a concrete pathway serving Stoner Prairie Park. The committee approved the staff-recommended version that includes the budget amendment (which was not in the original Board of Public Works packet), and council should approve the version approved by finance.
• R173-26 (IAFF Local 311 MOUs): Approved. The MOUs cover bilingual incentive pay, minimum staffing, and PTO scheduling, with expiration dates to be established going forward. The mandatory overtime scheduling provision in the minimum staffing MOU was eliminated.

Announcements

• The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2026.
• In response to Alder Jetzer's prior question, staff reported that a purchase related to parcel 12 paid to Dane County stems from the Fitchrona Road project and eminent domain transactions; the payment was required based on the current status of that process.

Key Outcomes

• All six resolutions were approved by voice vote with no nays recorded.
• The minutes, the detailed check registers (totaling $2,191,794.36 for checks over $10,000 and $2,333,918.52 for all checks issued, August 1–15, 2026), and PCAR transactions totaling $227,295.14 were approved.
• The Well Facility No. 12 contract will be awarded to JH Hassinger Inc. at $3,911,297.25, with the park-related budget amendment requiring a two-thirds council vote.
• The next Finance Committee meeting will be held September 8, 2026.