Walworth board votes to join regional infrastructure consortium and file DOR innovation grant

At a special meeting March 28, the Village of Walworth Board voted unanimously to sign a Joinder Agreement to seek inclusion in the Regional Infrastructure Consortium (road services only) and to file an application for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Innovation Grant.

President Louise Czaja moved — and Trustee Bob Ball seconded — the motion that the village sign the Joinder Agreement and file the grant application. A roll call recorded five ayes: Matt Tanner, Bob Ball, Steve Hovestol, Ken Ellerth and Louise Czaja. The motion carried. The meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m.; Trustee Ball is noted as arriving at 10:11 a.m., and the meeting adjourned at 10:36 a.m.

Village Attorney Brad Lochowicz told the board that the other parties to the intergovernmental agreement had already approved the contract and could not reopen it for revision. He said the Department of Revenue indicated that if Walworth signed and filed a Joinder Agreement with the grant application, the village would be considered as part of the consortium. Lochowicz cautioned, however, that "the Village has not guarantee that the other parties are going to approve adding the Village of Walworth into the IGA/consortium," and warned that filing the Joinder Agreement would be telling the Department of Revenue the village expected to be in the consortium "without a guarantee."

Board members discussed the attorney's caution and concluded that pursuing the opportunity was worthwhile. The board’s action directs staff to sign the Joinder Agreement and submit the grant application; the minutes do not specify any additional conditions, required approvals, or grant amounts.

The minutes note no public comments were offered during the public comment period. Following the vote the board approved a motion to adjourn at 10:36 a.m. Minutes were recorded and signed by Clerk/Treasurer Kellie Thelen.