City of Monroe Common Council Meeting - October 19, 2026

The City of Monroe Common Council met in regular session in City Hall Council Chambers on October 19, 2026, with eight alderpersons answering roll call and a quorum confirmed. No members of the public appeared during the public comment period. The council approved routine claims, authorized a site investigation proposal, approved the 2027 fee schedule, set the 2027 budget public hearing for November 16, and canceled the November 2 regular meeting.

Consent Calendar

• The October 5, 2026 council minutes were approved as presented with no corrections.
• The claims list was approved by roll-call vote; no discussion was held.
• The Treasurer's Report was received without comment; no vote was required.

Mayor's Remarks and Department Reports

• Mayor Miller thanked the police, fire, and street departments for their quick response that prevented a major hazmat incident near 8th Street and Highway 69.
• The yard waste site will close at the end of October. The city has published leaf pickup routes and asks residents to place leaves on the terrace, not in the street.
• A department head announced in-person absentee voting hours ahead of the November 3 election: October 20-22, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; October 23, 8-11 a.m.; October 26-29, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; and October 30, 8-11 a.m. New voting machines are anticipated for 2028; the current contract runs through 2027.

Discussion Items

• Finance and Taxation Committee: The council approved the Fehr Graham proposal to report contamination to the Wisconsin DNR, prepare a site investigation work plan, and complete a site investigation report for the City of Monroe Industrial Park property on 3rd Street North.
• 2027 fee schedule: The council approved the 2027 citywide fee schedule, effective January 1, 2027.
• 2027 budget public hearing: Administrator Rindy highlighted a balanced $14.3 million recommended budget that incorporates a 2.8% COLA, the police union negotiation increase, and a 5.9% health insurance premium increase. All community grant requests were funded, with the Main Street Monroe community grant shifted to full TID increment funding rather than the general tax levy; the levy impact returns when the TID closes. A mill rate projection from Bauman Associates was still pending and will be shared with the council before the hearing. The council set the public hearing for November 16, 2026, with final adoption also planned that evening.
• Council of the Whole - November 2, 2026 meeting: An alderperson noted that canceling the regular meeting would require formal action to bypass the ordinance. Because the November 3 election was the next day and no urgent items were pending, the council voted to cancel the November 2 meeting. The claims list will be handled at the November 16 meeting, with payments allowed to be issued before then.
• Special Committee Report Outs: An alderperson reported the senior center will receive a new tricep extension machine. Alderperson Mosier praised GCDC initiatives, discussed the upcoming regional housing summit, and invited council members to the Monroe Botanic Garden open house on Saturday. Another alderperson reported that recent rain flooded the Monroe Golf Course; because of the city's easement, the city is responsible for much of the damage, and Mayor Miller asked Alderperson Al to investigate.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the October 5, 2026 minutes, the claims list, the Fehr Graham site investigation resolution, and the 2027 fee schedule.
• Scheduled the November 16, 2026 public hearing and final consideration of the 2027 city budget.
• Canceled the November 2, 2026 Common Council meeting.
• Asked Alderperson Al to follow up on the Monroe Golf Course drainage issue.
• Adjourned.