Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Finance & Personnel Committee met on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:01 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. All six members (Newberry, Janssen, Kahlow, Goggin, Sleznikow, Northwood) were present. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM. The committee considered 13 agenda items, including a public hearing, financial audits, and several resolutions. All items were recommended to the Common Council except item 26-0958, which was referred without recommendation.
No members of the public registered to speak on any agenda item. The public hearing for item 26-0297 (special assessment for non-compliant utility services on 33rd St S) was opened but no testimony was offered.
26-0297 – Special Assessment for Non-Compliant Utility Services (33rd St S): This was the third and final pilot program to replace noncompliant laterals. Staff reported that final assessment numbers came in lower than preliminary estimates. The assessment covers only the portions in the right-of-way, based on per-lineal-foot cost. Property owners can choose a 10- or 15-year repayment on their tax bills starting in 2028. The utilities covered costs for street paving, curb, gutter, and sidewalk repairs. The committee voted unanimously to recommend adoption.
26-0875 & 26-1016 – Financial Statements and Single Audit (as of December 31, 2025): Auditor Joe Haas of Hawkins Ash CPAs presented an overview of the city’s three annual audits (financial statement, federal single audit, state single audit). He explained that the city is required to have an audit due to its population (over 25,000) and its federal spending (over $1 million, with $15 million in federal awards in 2025, including $10 million in COVID-related funds). The audit resulted in an unmodified opinion with no internal control or compliance findings. The finance department prepared 135 items for the audit team. A material audit adjustment was made only for airport funds. Both reports were received and filed unanimously.
26-0958 – Council Member Expense Accounts and Reimbursement Procedures: Councilmember Kahlow moved to refer the resolution to the full Common Council on October 6 without a recommendation, citing the importance of having all council members participate in the discussion. Councilmember Janssen expressed a preference for discussion at the committee level but did not object. The motion passed 5–1, with Janssen voting no.
26-0968 – Sunset Lane Sanitary Sewer Easements: This resolution authorized the acquisition of sanitary sewer easements related to the Sunset Lane project. Approved unanimously.
26-0970 – Reallocation of Funds for Water Utility Capital Equipment: Unused funds from completed capital purchases were reallocated to new equipment for the Water Utility. Approved unanimously.
26-0991 – Repurpose Three Fleet Trucks for Water Utility: Three trucks scheduled for auction will instead be retained and repurposed as light-duty trucks for the Water Utility. Staff explained that increased operations (flushing, valve turning) required additional vehicles. The annual operating cost per truck (insurance, maintenance) is roughly $4,000, less than renting three trucks for six months ($2,000/truck). The trucks will be used year-round, including for hydrant thumping in winter. The water utility’s budget covers all costs. The resolution passed 5–1, with Chair Goggin voting no.
26-0992 – Scope Change at 16th & State Streets (CIP 2026 #159): Director Gallagher noted that the revised cost for the raised intersections (for traffic calming) was $90,000, not the originally estimated $60,000. Councilmember Northwood moved to amend the resolution to reflect $90,000. The amendment passed unanimously, and the resolution as amended was adopted unanimously. Councilmember Sleznikow noted that residents had expressed concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety.
26-1009 – Contract Extension with ASI Flex for Section 125 Plan Administration: Director Franzen explained that the one-year extension aligns the contract with other benefits renewals. There is no fee increase for the city. The committee approved the extension unanimously.
26-1030 – Amendment to GO Promissory Notes Borrowing (increase to $13,805,000): Staff reported that the municipal bond market had risen about 1% over the prior 30 days, making it unlikely that bids would come in under the previously approved 5% true interest cost (TIC) ceiling. The requested amendment raises the TIC cap to 6.25% to provide cushion. City officials plan to sell the notes within two to three weeks. The increased debt service is estimated at $20,000–$30,000 per year, which can be addressed through a budget amendment in November. The resolution passed unanimously.
26-1032 – Flood Risk Management Project with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Director Gallagher announced that the assistant secretary of the Army approved a federal interest determination on September 15, allowing a three-year $3 million study (50-50 cost share, city share $1.5 million). The study will assess current levee conditions (last assessed in 1975) and consider five alternatives for flood mitigation. It will also unlock eligibility for future federal grants. The resolution passed unanimously.
26-1033 – CPI-Based Sewer Utility Rate Adjustment for 2027: The resolution authorizes a 4% CPI-based increase for sanitary sewer rates, effective potentially November 1, 2026 (two months early) to meet Clean Water Fund loan requirements. Estimated impact: fixed rate increase of about $0.95 over three months ($0.30/month) and consumption rate increase of about $0.08 per unit. The resolution passed unanimously.
26-0001 – Collective Bargaining Update: The committee did not take action and did not go into closed session.
| Item | Description | Vote | Action | |------|-------------|------|--------| | 26-0297 | Special assessment – 33rd St S | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-0875 | Financial Statements (2025) | 6-0 | Received and filed | | 26-0958 | Council expense accounts | 5-1 (Janssen no) | Referred without recommendation | | 26-0968 | Sunset Lane easements | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-0970 | Water utility capital reallocation | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-0991 | Repurpose fleet trucks | 5-1 (Goggin no) | Recommended to adopt | | 26-0992 | 16th & State scope change (amended) | 6-0 (amendment) then 6-0 (as amended) | Recommended to adopt as amended | | 26-1009 | ASI Flex contract extension | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-1016 | Single Audit (2025) | 6-0 | Received and filed | | 26-1030 | GO Notes borrowing amendment | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-1032 | Flood risk management agreement | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-1033 | Sewer rate adjustment | 6-0 | Recommended to adopt | | 26-0001 | Collective bargaining | N/A | No action |
Note: All recommendations are for the Common Council meeting on October 6, 2026.
Good evening. We're gonna call to order the finance and personnel committee meeting Thursday, October 1st, 2026 at 6 p.m. All members of the finance and personnel committee are present in chambers. And we're gonna move right to our new business. 26-0297 resolution authorizing public improvement and levying special assessment against benefited property in Lacrosse, Wisconsin for nine non-compliant utility services located at 33, excuse me, 33rd Street South. This is sponsored by Mayor Washington Spivy, and I have nobody signed up for to speak publicly. Nobody online? Okay, thank you. Does anybody does anyone want to motion this? I've got a motion by Councilmember Slezenko, I need a second. Second by councilmember Jansen. Is there any discussion? Councilmember Northwood. Is it possible just to have, since we're not having a public hearing, have staff come up and just talk about the item? Thank you. Sure. So this is the third and and final of this type that we're doing this year through FP. This was um sort of special projects under a pilot program to help replace noncompliant laterals uh that were found to either be shared at the riser or shared internally or shared out in the property. Uh this involves the four properties on 33rd Street. We did have final assessment numbers that actually came down a bit from the preliminary estimate. This is just for the portions that are in the right-way that are owned by the property owners and uh based just on a per lineal foot cost of the pipe uh to assess back to them to cover that. The utilities picked up the cost of the the street paving of any curb and gutter or any concrete sidewalk or driveways that needed to be repaired as well. Any further discussion? Councilmember Kahlo. Sorry, Director Gallagher, just a quick question. Um this is a fee that if the property owners want it to be put on their tax bill for X amount of years. Is that is this the similar item that we've discussed before? Yes, so this wouldn't hit this year. It would be something that would be processed in 2027 for 2028 taxes and beyond. They could choose a 10-year or 15-year repayment if they'd like, uh, working that out with the finance department. Okay, thank you for that. Any other comments? Seeing none, we'll move forward with the vote. And that motion passes unanimously. Moving on to item 26-0875 financial statements with independent auditors report as of December 31st, 2025. Do we have someone here to address the um FP about this issue yeah, we have our auditor who performed the audit uh to give a brief explanation on the financial statement and single audit for Block and Zash. Thank you.