Village of Elk Mound explores debt refinancing options
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By Cara L. Dempski
ELK MOUND – On March 15 the Elk Mound Board of Trustees discussed options for refinancing approximately $910,000 in debt. The issue was tabled until the April meeting, when hopefully Sean Ehlers of Ehlers and Associates would be able to present trustees with more details regarding available options. The Board agreed it may be wise to roll funding for the new village truck into any refinancing options. Trustees also approved working with Cheryl Claflin of CBSquared Inc. regarding plans for the new Tax Increment District. Claflin explained she would use her professional experience as an engineer to assist the Village in planning and development of the new area so it matched with village ordinance.
There was also no one registered for Citizens Forum, which was next on the agenda. The next item: The Board approved all general fund and water/sewer utility vouchers. There were no Tax Increment District vouchers in need of approval. Public Works Director Mark Levra next explained things have been business as usual in his department. Abraham asked about the security for the village water system, considering he read an article in another publication about someone hacking into a water system and making the water unsafe for consumption. Levra assured the Village President that he has no concerns regarding the safety of the village’s water security.
Next Police Chief Chad Weinberger informed the Board that department investigations are detracting from patrol time for department members. He also explained the department may soon be losing the services of part-time officer Mark Hollister because Hollister’s primary employer has constraints that will make it harder for him to work in Elk Mound. According to Weinberger, a sexual assault case has been taking a lot of time. Trustee Greg Kipp mentioned that he has seen many drivers moving down S. Holly Ave. close to his home at a high rate of speed, and wondered if there was a way to step up patrol in the area so no one gets hurt. He and Abraham speculated the most effective deterrent to speeders in the area would likely be extra patrols, and ticketing. The discussion was left unresolved.
The meeting progressed to a discussion and taking action for a part-time summer position for the Public Works Department. Director Levra explained a previous summertime employee had been classified as a limited-term employee instead of part-time. The Board unanimously approved making a part-time summer position. The next item for discussion was selecting a board member to serve on the upcoming Board of Review scheduled for May 5. The trustee referred for the position was Greg Kipp. Then Trustees discussed and unanimously approved compensation for members of the Joint Review Board. The chairperson will be compensated at $30 per meeting, and members- at-large will receive $25 per meeting.
There was a brief discussion regarding returning to in-person meetings, but it was decided to not return to in-person meetings for the first April meeting considering the first meeting is scheduled for April 5, and the Board Room will be set up for an election the following day.
Since the Board had concluded all the business on its agenda, the meeting adjourned.
The next board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 5.
