2024 Budget Approved for City of Dodgeville

By John Dalton

As expected the Dodgeville City Council approved the 2024 Budget and Setting the Tax Levy at its last meeting on Tuesday, November 21st.  Interested parties can review the detailed budget by going to   dodgevillewi.gov/council.  

The tax levy approved was $3,532,322 which is levied against the taxable property in the city.

In Reports, City Clerk Lauree Aulik mentioned a Notice of Election noting that local candidates may begin circulating nomination papers beginning December 1st.  If not running for re-election, papers must be filled out by December 22nd.   

The spring election is to be held in the City of Dodgeville, on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The following offices are to be elected to succeed the present incumbents listed:  Office Incumbent Mayor Todd D. Novak, Alderperson District 1 Roxanne Reynolds-Lair, Alderperson District 2 Jeff Weber, Alderperson District 3 Jerry Johnson, Alderperson District 4 Larry Tremelling.  

In new business, the council approved Resolution 2023-18, which is awarding the sale of $1,170,000 General Obligation Community Development Bonds, Series 2023C.  David Ferris, a Senior Municipal Advisor with Ehlers Public Finance presented and noted that Dodgeville received an excellent rate of 3.6% with Baird winning the bid out of 6 bidders.  

Ferris noted that the bid was actually downsized by $105,000 and that the sale was actually 1,065,000.  These bonds are for the public purpose of providing financial assistance to community development projects by paying the costs of projects listed in the project plans for the City’s Tax Incremental Districts (TID).  He also said Dodgeville has excellent credit and that its stable outlook reflects that the city will maintain stable operations and that it has very strong reserves. 

The council also passed a resolution approving the sale of four lots in the city TIF District (Tax Increment Financing) north of Walmart.  The city will be selling the lots to Addy's Rentals LLC, which is owned by Josh Fowler.  The property being sold is on the east side of Peterson Drive.

A developer agreement between the city and Fowler spells out that he will be paying $162,400 for all four lots and build one two-family duplex on each lot.  Each duplex must have a minimum assessed value of $345,000 and the first two duplexes must be completed within two years and the final two within four years.  Fowler guarantees the total assessed value will be $690,000 by January 1, 2026 and $1,380,000 value by January 1, 2028. If Fowler meets the terms of the agreement, the city will refund him $80,000 of the $162,400 he paid.

Fowler and the city also signed a first right of refusal on three lots across the street from where he is building. That means if someone wants to buy that property, Fowler has the right to match and buy the property first.  “I foresee Josh building duplexes in that entire area and I have no doubt he will have them built way ahead of the timeline,” said Mayor Todd Novak

 Mayor Novak said he and Fowler have been negotiating for the last two months and it has gone really smooth. He noted Fowler has already bought one lot outside for the agreement for $30,000, next to the four lots he is buying now.  “He wanted to pour the foundation on that lot and on two of the lots he is buying before winter set in.” Fowler has built several duplexes in the city. 

Mayor Novak noted that Phase 2 of the Limestone Apartments must start by September 1, which will include three more apartment buildings in the TIF.  He also told the council that he has been contacted by two developers who both want to build 50-unit apartment buildings each in Dodgeville, but they would be on land privately owned, not city land.  He said they both will be requesting zoning changes that will eventually come to the council. 

“Currently Dodgeville is one of the top municipalities in the state ranked for housing needs.  With the housing shortage and cost to rent from Madison west, we are in the bullseye of development.  If we had space, about half a dozen medium to small-size businesses have expressed a desire to locate here, so hopefully everything will come together,” Novak said.

In other new business, the council granted permission to the Dodgeville Area Chamber of Commerce to place tourism-related QR code plaques in city parks. Visitors will be able to scan these to find out information about hotels, restaurants, and other things to do while in Dodgeville. 

-Approved Ordinance 2023-04 relating to salaries of Mayor, Alderpersons, Members of the Board of Review, Board of Zoning Appeals, Plan Commission and Police and Fire Commission.

-Approved a 2023-2024 Dance License and 2023-2024 Class ‘B’ Retailers Malt Beverage and class ‘B’ Intoxicating Liquor License for Dodger Bowl Lanes and Catering LLC.

-Approved to grant permission to fill a street department vacancy.

-Approved not to ‘opt out’ of the 3M and DuPont PFAS Class Action Settlement.

Also approved was the Consent Agenda for minutes from November 7, 2023 and claims as follows:

-General - $368,538.39

-Sewer - $24,187.53

-Water - $148,878.38

-Total - $541,604.30

The next Common Council Regular Meeting is at 5:30 p.m., December 5th at City Hall.