Highlights from the Village of Hortonville Board Meetings of November 20 and December 4, 2025 minutes found at: https://www.hortonvillewi.org/meetings/
The Hortonville Village Board successfully passed its 2026 municipal budget and tax levy during its early December sessions. While the budget outlook remains stable due to increased property valuations, the Village is currently navigating a significant procedural dispute with the County regarding the collection of ambulance fees.
2026 Budget and Financial Actions
Following a public hearing on December 4, the Board unanimously adopted Resolution R-23-25, establishing the budget for the upcoming year.
- Tax Levy Trends: Administrator Treadwell noted that the tax levy rate is expected to drop substantially. This is primarily due to a recent reevaluation that raised the Village’s equalized value to approximately $7 million.
- Capital Investment: During the November 20 meeting, the Board approved an $87,000 loan with Wolf River Bank to fund the Village’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
- Vibrant Spaces Grant: The Board authorized Resolution R-20-25 for a grant submission aimed at enhancing local public spaces.
Ambulance Fee Collection Dispute
A major point of contention arose regarding how the Village bills residents for ambulance services.
- The Issue: The County informed the Village that, per the State Department of Revenue (DOR), ambulance fees can no longer be placed on tax bills as a “special charge.” The DOR contends these fees are for a person, not a property.
- Village Response: Attorney Ashley Lehocky expressed strong disagreement with the County’s refusal to include the fees. She argued that the County should not have the authority to dictate municipal special charges.
- Action Plan: To ensure funding for the service, the Board directed staff to mail direct bills to residents for ambulance fees. If these remain unpaid, the Village intends to add them to the tax bill in the following year as a delinquent charge.
Infrastructure and Regulatory Compliance
The Village is moving forward with several projects to ensure utility safety and prepare for 2026 construction:
- Cross-Connection Control: The Board approved a service agreement with Hydrocorp to inspect 148 properties for potential water system contamination. This program is required for DNR compliance.
- Sewer Lateral Ordinance: Ordinance O-6-25 was approved, allowing the Village to add a $50 lien as a special assessment on properties if residents fail to pay for private sewer lateral maintenance.
- Miller Park Utility Work: An easement was granted to WE Energies to relocate a gas line in Miller Park, a necessary precursor to a bridge relocation project scheduled for March 2026.
Departmental Updates and Community News
- Public Safety: The Police Department is seeking a new full-time officer following a staff transition to part-time. Notably, Officers Sweeney and Hauser raised $2,000 through the “Police Lights of Christmas” for community aid.
- Library: The library is now fully staffed and recently collected over 400 items for the local food pantry.
- Elections: Incumbents were notified that nomination signatures for the Spring Election can be collected starting December 1. The 2026-2027 Election Inspectors were officially appointed.
- Public Works: A new part-time custodian has been hired, and the ice rink at Alonzo Park is officially set up for the season.
The next regular meeting was scheduled for December 18, 2025 but at the time of print the minutes were not available.
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