Fitchburg Finance Committee Meeting – October 13, 2026

The Finance Committee met on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 5:15 p.m. to 6:06 p.m. It approved prior meeting minutes, reviewed financial reports and bill lists, and acted on 2027 budget-related items. The proposed forestry fee drew public opposition and was referred to the Common Council without a committee recommendation. All other action resolutions were approved on voice votes with no audible opposition.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the September 22, 2026 Finance Committee meeting.
• Approved the minutes of the September 29 and 30, 2026 special Finance Committee budget presentations.

Finance Director’s Report

• Treasurer’s reports for June and July 2026 were provided; the August 2026 report is expected at the next Finance Committee meeting.
• The city completed an alternative CSLFRF/ARPA compliance examination with its external auditors because federal grant receipts did not require a single audit. The auditors reported no material findings and confirmed that the city followed ARPA rules.
• The city has reported to the U.S. Treasury that ARPA grant proceeds are fully spent; remaining interest is expected to be spent this month or next, and Treasury acceptance of the final report is pending.
• Budget process: the public hearing was scheduled for the Common Council meeting that evening; council amendments are due the next day at noon; amendments will be distributed late next week and discussed at the next Committee of the Whole.

Review of Bills

• Checks of $10,000 and above, September 16–30, 2026: $2,531,011.59.
• All checks issued, checks 131316–131370, September 16–30, 2026: $2,606,648.50.
• ACH payments, September 1–30, 2026: $736,859.73.
• PCAR transactions, cycle ending August 6, 2026: $226,602.33.
• No comments or questions were raised.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non-agenda public appearances: none.
• Forestry fee (Ordinance 2026-O-30): David Halford spoke in opposition, arguing the fee is an unconstitutional property tax under the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Buchanan ruling, bypasses property-tax levy limits and the voter referendum, and would lead to lawsuits. He cited a 142% increase in public forestry spending to $525,000, with $435,000 to be raised from more than 6,500 property owners through the fee. Patrick Shaney also spoke in opposition, calling the fee a tax, criticizing the council for appearing to have predetermined votes, and asking at least one committee member to vote no so the recommendation would not be unanimous.

Discussion Items

• Write-off of uncollectible accounts prior to June 30, 2020: The committee reviewed the annual bad-debt write-off list. Bill noted the spreadsheet showed a total of $103,000 versus $72,000 and asked why some accounts-receivable balances were smaller than bad-debt amounts. Finance Director Misty explained the different collection paths, including accounts returned by the State Department of Collections, and the journal entry used to write off the accounts through the allowance for bad debt. The write-off was then approved.
• Ordinance 2026-O-30 – Forestry fee: After public comment, the committee decided not to take a final vote and referred the ordinance to the Common Council without a recommendation.
• Resolution R-181-26 – Southdale Path: Tim presented the state municipal agreement for an off-street path from McCoy Road to Englehart/Inglehart Drive. The project is in the CIP for 2027 design and 2029 construction, with state funding covering 80% of construction costs; the local share is expected to come from TID 16.
• Resolution R-186-26 – Equipment debt threshold: The resolution lowers the threshold for considering debt financing of routine equipment from $500,000 to $250,000 and adds the forestry fee as a levy fund for debt calculations. Staff clarified the threshold is an option, not a borrowing requirement.
• Resolution R-187-26 – Elected official compensation: The resolution phases in compensation increases for mayor, alders, and municipal judge effective May 1, 2027, 2028, and 2029. Staff noted mayoral and alder salaries have been unchanged since 1997 and the judge’s salary since 2009. The mayor spoke in support, noting the mayoral increase takes effect in 2029 and he would not personally receive it.
• Resolution R-190-26 – Kids’ Crossing playground: The committee approved the concept design and a $315,000 increase to the 2026 capital projects budget. Parks Manager Eric described public-comment-driven additions, including a zipline, shade structures, a nature-play area, and a dragonfly feature. Discussion covered surfacing and equipment lifespan, maintenance, accessible design, and donation opportunities. A member noted the project would be funded with borrowing, allowing future residents to help pay for it, and cited the city’s triple-A rating.
• Resolution R-192-26 – 2027 solid waste rates: The committee approved rates of $240 per unit for approximately 6,700 homes served by the residential contract, up $4 from 2026, and $7.50 per unit for approximately 3,766 apartment/condominium units not on private streets, up $0.15. The 2027 service cost is approximately $1,833,000. Discussion included a reported $30,000 fuel-price contingency and a question about avoiding Russian-sourced diesel fuel; staff said they would check with the city’s fuel supplier.
• Resolution R-194-26 – Traceway Leopold Path: Tim presented the state municipal agreement for a shared-use path along Traceway Drive and Post Road to Leopold Way. The project is in the CIP for 2028 design and 2030 construction, with state funding covering up to 80% of construction costs; the local match will be borrowed.
• Resolution R-202-26 – GO promissory notes: The committee approved amending the parameters resolution to allow a true interest cost of up to 5.75% for the sale of up to $22,320,000 in Series 2026A general obligation promissory notes. The current modeled true interest cost was about 5.18% for a 20-year term. The sale is likely next week; the notes are callable in 10 years. Projects funded include the police facility, a road project, City Hall remodel, and Kids’ Crossing.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the September 22, 2026 minutes and the September 29–30, 2026 special budget presentation minutes.
• Acknowledged the June and July 2026 treasurer’s reports and the ARPA compliance examination report.
• Approved the write-off of uncollectible accounts prior to June 30, 2020.
• Referred Ordinance 2026-O-30 (forestry fee) to the Common Council without a Finance Committee recommendation.
• Approved Resolutions R-181-26, R-186-26, R-187-26, R-190-26, R-192-26, R-194-26, and R-202-26.
• The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m.