Hortonville board approves budgets, CIP loan, equipment purchase and a police promotion

The Village of Hortonville board took a series of administrative and budget actions at its Dec. 1 meeting, approving utility budgets, payroll adjustments, a capital loan amendment, a water‑system equipment purchase and a personnel promotion.

Personnel and promotion: After a closed-session discussion under state statute 19.851(c) concerning personnel, the board approved the hiring/promotion of Sergeant Brian Barr to police chief effective Jan. 1, 2025. The motion was made, seconded and carried on the record.

Budgets and financial amendments: The board adopted Resolution R-36-24 to approve the 2025 water and sewer utility budgets. Staff highlighted planned projects for 2025 including backup generators for well houses and a lift station and proactive replacement of laterals on Honeysuckle, where staff reported “we've had, I think, 4 leaks already in that neighborhood” and recommended replacement.

The board also approved a wage resolution (R-37-24) that staff described as carrying an average increase of about 4% for 2025 and included raising the chief election inspector to $17 per hour. Separately, the board approved Resolution R-35-24 to amend prior CIP authorization and record a 2025 CIP loan in the amount of $366,745 after staff identified a levy classification error. A related budget amendment (R-34-24) was approved to move $5,000 from capital projects into the debt levy and correct interest/principal calculations.

Purchases and capital equipment: The board approved a KLM quote to install an electric submersible mixer for the water tower at a cost of $17,252.50.

Meetings and administrative items: The board approved cancelling the Jan. 2, 2025 village board meeting because of limited likely business in that short week. The consent agenda was approved earlier in the meeting; no preregistered citizens spoke.

Officials’ reports: Aaron, the director of public works, provided the utility project summary and the leak history prompting lateral replacements. Sergeant Barr provided a School Resource Officer staffing update, saying schedule changes would start Jan. 12 and mentioning a planned SRO contract update around March.

The board adjourned at 7:15 p.m.