Juneau meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Juneau boards weigh emergency fees, budgets, and chicken ordinance

No formal decisions have been published from Juneau's recent government meetings, as all agendas from the past two weeks are still awaiting minutes. The most consequential item on the table is a proposed ordinance to bill for emergency response services for the fire department and EMS, which the Common Council will consider in a second reading.

Common Council and Utility Commission

The Common Council and Utility Commission met jointly on Aug. 11. The agenda included a second reading of Ordinance 2.28.110, which would allow the city to bill for emergency response fees for the Juneau Fire Department and EMS. The council also considered Resolution 21-2026 to approve a certified survey map for parcel 012-1015-0443-003, and Resolution 22-2026 to approve the Recreation Director's posted hours. A second reading of Ordinance 277-2026 would amend the city's order of business. The council approved payment of bills totaling $172,844.52 in checks and $235,175.25 electronically.

EMS and Fire Department

Two EMS meetings on Aug. 11 covered the 2027 budget, potential EMS pay changes, and rate increases for 2027. The executive meeting also reviewed the EMS schedule, a Facebook project update, and the 2027 Dodge County Fair. The regular meeting added training, membership recruitment and retention, fundraising, maintenance, and a run review. The Fire Department held a regular meeting Aug. 13 to interview two firefighter candidates, one at 5:45 p.m. and one at 6:00 p.m.

Plan Commission

The Plan Commission met Aug. 11 to review and possibly approve an ordinance allowing chickens within city limits and a certified survey map. The commission also approved minutes from June 29 and set its next meeting for Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m.

Library Board

The Library Board met Aug. 12 to review and possibly approve 2026 budget amendments, the 2027 budget proposal, and 2027 capital requests. The board also reviewed payment of bills from July 4 through Aug. 5, 2026, and discussed a WiLS strategic planning grant and grounds maintenance.

Recreation and Utility Committees

The Recreation Committee met Aug. 19 to discuss requiring non-profit and civil organizations to sign use contracts for free events at the Community Center, addressing late jersey returns and withdrawal requests for Rage Soccer, and reviewing shed updates at Wild Goose Park. The Utility Personnel Committee met the same day to review and possibly approve 2027 utility staff wages based on the MEUW Wage Survey and to review utility job descriptions.

Canceled Meeting

The Public Safety Committee meeting scheduled for Aug. 20 was canceled. Its next meeting is set for Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Coming up

The Personnel Committee will meet jointly with the Utility Personnel Committee on Aug. 25 at City Hall, 405 Jewel St., starting at 5:00 p.m. for the city portion and 6:00 p.m. for the utility portion. They will consider a cost-of-living increase, changes to the Personnel Policy Handbook, the 2027 city wage scale, changes to Section 201 (Hours of Work), and a holiday/weekend standby duty and call-out policy.

The Public Works Committee will meet Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Garage, 555 Mill St. The agenda includes supporting the Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, removing two standup coolers from the concession stand, repairing the exhaust hood in the Community Center kitchen, and capital requests for a zero-turn mower, a 14-foot Landpride mower, a salt truck, and street projects on N. Hyland, E. Hyland, Midway, and East streets.

Personnel Committee approves Electric Apprentice job description; other committees meet on roads, utilities, City Hall

The Juneau Personnel Committee approved a new job description for an Electric Apprentice position at its July 28 meeting, the only formal decision among recent committee meetings. The vote was 4-0. Two other items were tabled to next month. Other committees met to discuss road projects, utility finances, and City Hall improvements, but no decisions have been published yet.

Personnel Committee (July 28)

The committee approved the Electric Apprentice job description by a 4-0 vote. It also approved the June 30, 2026, meeting minutes. Two items were tabled to next month's agenda: a proposed holiday/weekend standby duty and weekend call-out policy, and changes to Personnel Policy Handbook Section 201 (Hours of Work). No action was taken on either.

Public Works Committee (July 29)

The Public Works Committee met to discuss 2027 road maintenance projects and possible capital requests. The agenda also included a review of possible fee increases for street opening permits and bonds. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are confirmed.

Utility Commission (August 3)

The Utility Commission met to review routine financial reports, including the 2025 financial statements presented by Aaron Worthman of Baker Tilly. The agenda also included discussion and possible approval of sewer lateral ordinance changes, updates on wellhouse projects, a review of delinquent customer totals, and approval of vouchers and checks. Minutes are not yet available.

Finance Committee (August 4)

The Finance Committee met to discuss and possibly approve three items: a City Hall remodel, the purchase of iPads for the City Council using Cable TV funds, and the installation of outside cameras at City Hall. No other major decisions were on the agenda. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Juneau Joint Review Board appoints new public member and chair; reviews TID #4 annual report

The Joint Review Board made two unanimous appointments at its July 23 meeting, naming Josh Nichols as Public Member and Dave Beal as Board Chair. The board also reviewed the 2025 annual report for TID #4, which showed a tax increment increase to $328,056.

Joint Review Board

The board approved minutes from July 16, 2025, and discussed the potential creation of TID #5 or the expansion of TID #4. No decisions were recorded on the TID #5 creation or TID #4 expansion; those items were listed as discussions.

Tax Increment Districts (TIDs) are tools Wisconsin municipalities use to fund development by capturing property tax growth within a designated area to pay for project costs. The $328,056 figure reflects the tax increment reported in the 2025 annual report for TID #4.

Meetings canceled

Two committee meetings were canceled during the past two weeks:

• The Community Development Authority Committee's July 21 meeting was canceled. Its next scheduled meeting is August 18, 2026.
• The Public Safety Committee's July 23 meeting was canceled. No agenda items were discussed or voted on.

Personnel Committee

The Joint Personnel & Utility Personnel Committee met July 28 to review job descriptions and policy handbook changes. Agenda items included the Electric Apprentice job description, Personnel Policy Handbook Section 201 Hours of Work #1, and a proposed Holiday/Weekend Standby Duty and Weekday Call-Out Policy. The committee also listed discussions for 2027-2029 union contract negotiations with the Professional Police Association Local #472. Minutes have not yet been published.

Public Works Committee

The Public Works Committee met July 29 to discuss 2027 road maintenance projects and possible capital requests. The committee also listed possible fee increases for Street Opening Permits and bonds. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Utility Commission — Monday, Aug. 3:** Aaron Worthman of Baker Tilly will present the 2025 financial statements. The commission will review and possibly approve changes to the sewer lateral ordinance, discuss and possibly act on wellhouse projects, review delinquent customer totals, and approve vouchers and checks.
• **Finance Committee — Tuesday, Aug. 4:** The committee will review and possibly approve a City Hall remodel, the purchase of iPads for the City Council using Cable TV funds, and the installation of outside cameras at City Hall.
• **CDA Committee — Monday, Aug. 18:** Next scheduled meeting of the Community Development Authority Committee.

Juneau Recreation Committee approves banner purchase; other city bodies tackle budgets, fees, and ordinances

The Juneau Recreation Committee made the only confirmed decision among recent city meetings, approving a $133.50 purchase of a retractable promotional banner. Several other city bodies met between July 6 and July 15, but minutes have not yet been published for those sessions, so outcomes are not yet part of the public record.

Recreation Committee

At its July 15 meeting, the Recreation Committee approved its agenda and previous meeting minutes by motion. The committee then approved the purchase of a retractable promotional banner for $133.50, also by motion. No action was taken on a lease contract for community-center non-profit events — no motion was made. The meeting adjourned at 6:16 p.m.

Common Council

The Juneau Common Council met July 14 to review several items, though minutes are not yet published. The agenda included a first reading of an ordinance establishing billing for Juneau Fire Department and EMS emergency response fees, and a second reading of Ordinance 276-2026 amending city parking, stopping, and standing regulations. The council was also scheduled to vote on regular bartender licenses expiring June 30, 2027, and provisional licenses for five staff members, plus a resolution to extend premise licenses for Simple Bar & Grill and the 1850's Inn. The agenda included authorization of municipal bill payments totaling $80,877.18 in checks and $168,754.97 electronically. Committee reports from public safety, personnel, and planning groups were also scheduled.

Utility Commission

The Utility Commission met July 6 to discuss and possibly approve several policy changes, including sewer lateral ordinance amendments, bill credits for customers completing lead and copper sampling, stand-by pay policies for electric and water/wastewater departments, an electric apprentice job description, and an amendment to City of Juneau Employee Handbook policy 201. The commission also planned to review financial statements and delinquent customer totals. Minutes are not yet published.

Library Board

The Juneau Public Library Board of Trustees met July 8 to nominate and approve board officers for July 2026 through July 2027. The agenda also included review and possible approval of a WiLS Strategic Planning MOU and a grounds maintenance proposal, plus review and approval of payment of bills from June 6 through July 3, 2026, and the year-to-date budget. Minutes are not yet published.

EMS and Fire Department

Juneau EMS held both an executive and regular meeting on July 14. Agendas covered EMS pay review, rate increases, scheduling, CPR guidelines and rates, and coordination of a first aid booth for Juneau Fest on July 25. The regular meeting also included approval of minutes and the treasurer's report, a schedule summary review, and a review of the 2026 football season schedule.

The Juneau Fire Department held executive and regular meetings on July 15. The executive agenda included discussion of the 2027 budget, SCBA fit testing, Lexipol/Fire Rescue Academy daily training bulletins, a fundraiser and purchase, and an ICS 300 class. The regular meeting agenda included review of past calls and committee reports, old business on Lexipol/Fire Rescue 1 and ESO, new business on a 9/11 parade and Dodge County Fair participation, and a guest speaker, Gary Peck. Minutes are not yet published for either session.

Coming up

• **July 21 — CDA Committee:** Cancelled. Next meeting scheduled August 18, 2026.
• **July 23 — Joint Review Board:** Will select a public member and board chair, and review the annual report and year-over-year changes for Tax Incremental District #4.

Juneau officials advance chicken ordinance, police contract talks; council to weigh emergency fees this week

Juneau's Plan Commission and Personnel Committee moved several items forward in late June, including a proposed chicken-keeping ordinance and the opening of police union contract negotiations. The Common Council is scheduled to take up emergency response fees and parking rule changes on July 14.

Plan Commission recommends chicken ordinance, outdoor dining extension

On June 29, the Plan Commission approved and recommended to the Common Council a new ordinance for keeping chickens. The proposed ordinance includes a $50 initial fee, a $25 renewal fee, and a neighbor approval requirement.

The commission also approved and recommended an extension of premises for 1850's Inn outdoor dining. Rok Wood Sauna was approved to operate on private property via a transient merchant application. No action was taken on an ordinance to prevent data centers.

Personnel Committee opens police union talks, advances wage increase

On June 30, the Personnel Committee approved four items, all by 3-0 votes.

The committee approved opening negotiations for the 2027-2029 police union contract. It approved Recreation Director summer hours, forwarding the matter to the full council. It approved a Street Superintendent wage increase effective July 5, also forwarded to the council. The committee also changed its monthly meeting start time to 5:00 p.m. beginning July 28.

Finance Committee meeting cancelled

The July 7 Finance Committee meeting was cancelled. No items were discussed or decided. The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Utility Commission considers sewer lateral, stand-by pay policies

On July 6, the Utility Commission held its regular monthly meeting to discuss and possibly approve several policy changes. Items included sewer lateral ordinance amendments, bill credits for customers completing lead and copper sampling, stand-by pay policies for the electric and water/wastewater departments, an Electric Apprentice job description, and an amendment to City of Juneau Employee Handbook policy 201. The commission also reviewed financial statements and delinquent customer totals. Minutes were not yet published, so final actions are not confirmed.

Library Board to act on officers, strategic plan MOU

On July 8, the Library Board of Trustees met to nominate and approve board officers for July 2026 through July 2027. The agenda also included review and possible approval of a WiLS Strategic Planning MOU, a grounds maintenance proposal, payment of bills from June 6 through July 3, 2026, year-to-date budget review, and approval of minutes from June 10, 2026. Minutes were not yet published.

Coming up

• **July 14 — Common Council:** First reading of an ordinance establishing billing for Juneau Fire Department and EMS emergency response fees; second reading of Ordinance 276-2026 amending city parking, stopping, and standing regulations; approval of regular bartender licenses expiring June 30, 2027, and provisional licenses for five staff members; resolution to extend premise licenses for local establishments including Simple Bar & Grill and the 1850's Inn; and payment authorization for city bills totaling $80,877.18 in checks and $168,754.97 electronically. Committee reports from public safety, personnel, and planning groups are scheduled for discussion.
• **July 23 — Joint Review Board:** Selection of a public member and board chair, plus review of the annual report and year-over-year changes for Tax Incremental District #4.