Highlights from the Hortonville Village Board Meeting of June 18, 2026 found at: https://www.hortonvillewi.org/meetings/
Executive Summary
In a meeting highlighted by spirited debate over commercial zoning standards, the Hortonville Village Board voted 6–1 to defer a proposed amendment that would allow auto service businesses as a conditional use in the downtown zoning district. Trustees also reviewed the village’s 2025 financial audit, approved sidewalk replacement bids, authorized a planning framework for a major downtown fall event, and passed a resolution granting a $250 employee bonus in honor of the Declaration of Independence sestercentennial.
Debate Over Downtown Zoning Code Revisions
The most extended debate of the evening centered on whether to amend the Downtown Zoning Code to permit automotive service facilities under a conditional use permit. Administrator Nathan Treadwell noted that the request originated from a business owner seeking to establish an auto service shop on a 0.42-acre downtown lot.
Supporters of maintaining the current restrictions highlighted the long-standing vision for Hortonville’s downtown core. Trustees Julie Arendt Vanden Heuvel, Carrie Lathrop, and Therese Abitz, alongside Village President Jeanne Bellile, emphasized that the downtown district was specifically designed after significant study to foster historic character, pedestrian walkability, and aesthetic consistency, directing industrial or heavier commercial uses toward the industrial park or highway corridors.
Resident Claire Abitz noted during public comment that prior developments in the downtown area were restricted from automotive uses to preserve the core business climate.
In contrast, Trustee Jim Moeller advocated for consistency, pointing out that a similar business use had been permitted elsewhere in the downtown area:
“We told another business, they said ‘this is what we want to do’ and we said yes, so now we have a separate business that wants to do almost the exact same thing… we need to be consistent as to how we are treating businesses downtown.”
After extended discussion regarding lot size, potential traffic, precedent, and district definitions, a motion to defer amending the downtown zoning code carried 6–1, with Trustee Moeller casting the sole dissenting vote.
Financial Audit & Commemorative Bonus
- 2025 Financial Audit: Amber Ebert from accounting firm Hawkins Ash presented the 2025 audit report. The audit included 41 adjusting journal entries and identified 17 material audit adjustments across accounts including the property tax roll, capital outlay, depreciation, grant expenses, and fund balances.
- Employee Bonus Resolution (R-11-26): Administrator Treadwell explained that employee raises were kept at a smaller percentage during the previous budget cycle with the intent of offering a one-time stipend. The Board unanimously approved Resolution R-11-26, authorizing a one-time $250 bonus for village employees in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Infrastructure, Planning, and Community Development
The Board addressed several capital projects, outdoor plans, and community activities:
- Sidewalk Replacement Bids: Public Works Director Aaron Steber presented two competitive bids for the 2026 Sidewalk Replacement Project. The Board approved the low quote from Capital R Concrete & Coatings for an amount not to exceed $12,085.00.
- Monster Mash Downtown Event: The Board reached a consensus to proceed with planning for the “Monster Mash” event proposed by the Fox West Chamber of Commerce for October 30, 2026. The event aims to celebrate the completion of the Main Street reconstruction project with food trucks and street closures, anticipating approximately 1,000 attendees. Board members highlighted the need to coordinate police and public works staffing and monitor construction timelines.
- Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (R-10-26): The Board approved Resolution R-10-26 adopting the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP), a necessary prerequisite for state recreation grant applications.
- Wastewater Treatment Report (R-12-26): Resolution R-12-26 approving the annual Compliance Maintenance Annual Report (CMAR) passed unanimously. DPW Director Steber noted that the Wastewater Treatment Plant received an “A” grade.
- Football Club Rezoning (O-4-26): The Board approved Ordinance O-4-26, rezoning a parcel to accommodate future football fields for the Hortonville Football Club, with proposed developments located outside identified wetland areas.
Summary of Board Actions and Votes
- Consent Agenda (June 4 Minutes, Accounts/Claims): Approved (7–0).
- Resolution R-11-26 (Sestercentennial Employee Bonus): Approved (7–0).
- Cancellation of July 2, 2026 Board Meeting: Approved (7–0).
- 2026 Sidewalk Replacement Contract (Capital R Concrete): Approved up to $12,085.00 (7–0).
- Resolution R-10-26 (Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan): Approved (7–0).
- Resolution R-12-26 (Compliance Maintenance Annual Report): Approved (7–0).
- Ordinance O-4-26 (Hortonville Football Club Rezoning): Approved (7–0).
- Motion to Defer Downtown Zoning Code Amendment (Auto Service): Passed (6–1; Moeller opposed).
- Closed Session (Property Purchase – Parcel #240002400): Convened under Wis. Stat. § 19.85(1)(e); no public action taken upon return to open session (7–0).
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