Onalaska Development News

City Council Reviews 2027 Budget Strategies, Infrastructure Investments, and Compensation Study

The council discussed strategies for the 2027 operational budget. City Administrator Rick Niemeyer provided an update on recent infrastructure investments, including electric squad cars and solar panels on city hall. Preliminary data suggests savings from electric vehicles, though long-term cost-effectiveness and maintenance are still under review. The solar panels have shown significant savings in their first year of operation. The discussion also touched upon the financial implications of these investments and the need for more data before expanding them. Further discussion focused on a compensation study conducted by Baker Tilly, which reviewed internal wage structures for non-union employees. Three implementation options were presented with varying costs, and the council leaned towards Option 1, a less costly adjustment, with a preference to delay full implementation and further analysis. A separate discussion addressed the potential increase in council member compensation, with a majority favoring maintaining the current frozen rates for an additional year, citing budget constraints and leading by example. Finally, the environmental impact data for solar panels was shared, quantifying energy savings in terms of car emissions and coal usage.