At its regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, the Common Council unanimously appointed Laura Pigatti Williamson as Dodgeville’s new City Administrator. Williamson, previously Director of Utilities in Moline, Illinois, will begin on September 9, 2026, with an annual salary of $130,000 and a one-time $5,000 signing bonus. The Administration and Personnel Committee will review her performance after 90 days and again after 180 days, based on specific goals and objectives for the position.
Under Reports and Recommendations, Shawn Roelli with Johnson Block presented giving the Council an audit overview for the year ended December 31, 2025, which included an unmodified opinion of the financial statements, a federal grant audit for the Flexible Facilities Grant, a separate audit communications document designed for the Common Council was also provided, along with other regulatory reports for 2025 and other assistance with accounting.
He reported 2025 financial highlights which include Governmental funds of the City reported an increase in overall fund balance of $1,394,466. The General Fund increased b $456,132, Capital projects increased $829,712, while TIF district #3 decreased $216,126. The Water Utility reported an increase in net position of $712,721, and the Sewer Utility showed an increase in net position of $451,192 in 2025. A complete overview of the audit can be found at dodgevillewi.gov.
In his Police Report, Chief Brandon Wilhelm gave highlights of his 2nd quarter stating that so far this year, 2,595 calls for service have occurred, a 20% increase from last year at this time. A 140% in arrests compared to last year is of interest. This year 127 people have been arrested compared to 53 last year at this time. Citations are up 20% from last year as well.
Wilhelm also noted that an e-bike flyer will be included with residents’ utility bills before the start of the school year to provide a brief guide to important laws and local ordinances. He thanked the street and fire departments for their work during July events, including Farmers Appreciation Day, Dodgeville Town Square and Dodgefest. For Farmers Appreciation Day alone, he said his department spent 100 hours staffing the event, with 10 officers covering 35 intersections, placing water barriers and putting up and removing no-parking signs. Wilhelm also said new crosswalk flags have been added downtown and that the department has completed 665 training hours, averaging about 60 hours per officer, as required by the state.
In her Interim Clerk/Treasurer Report, Emily Wolfe reported 72% of early voting have been returned and that her department is getting prepared for the August 11th election. She also reported she will be out of the office the week of August 17 in Green Bay for training.
In his Mayor Report, Barry Hottmann pointed out two ribbon cutting events coming. August 17, Fox Point Villa will host an event with state and federal WHEDA personnel when will be on hand as well as the developers from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. And on August 25, Upland Hills Health will do a ribbon cutting of their new emergency department from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. He also thanked the police department, fire department and streets department for all their hard work and effort during the downtown July events.
Under Old Business, the Council Approved a revised traffic pattern for future Cruisin’ the Courthouse events, due to construction of the Iowa County Courthouse parking lot. Upcoming Cruisin’ the Courthouse dates are August 13, September 10, and October 8. Streets closed during this event will be the 100 block of East and West Merrimac Street, and the 200 block parking stalls of North Iowa Street will be reserved for vehicles at the event from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Iowa Street will be open for traffic.
Under New Business and based on a recommendation from the Public Works Committee, Resolution 2026- 10 was Approved which establishes a clear and uniform policy governing snow removal operations within the downtown Iowa Street corridor. The Resolution states the City of Dodgeville will perform snow removal operations along Iowa Street between Spring and Walnut Street after the accumulation of five or more inches of snowfall.
Snow removal operations conducted by the City under this policy will occur on the Thursday following a qualifying snow event unless otherwise directed by the Director of Public Works or Street Department Foreman may authorize snow removal operations at any time deemed necessary to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
It also states owners and occupants of properties abutting Iowa Street between Spring and Walnut Street are responsible for clearing snow and ice from all adjacent sidewalks and pedestrian areas within 24 hours and shall deposit snow at the curb line in a manner that does not obstruct vehicular traffic or create hazardous conditions.
Approved was a lease from Brooks Tractor incorporated for a new frontend loader. The Council elected to go with a 60-month lease for $2,678.95 per month.
Rule Construction had two bids Accepted and Approved for projects. The first is for Bennett Road and US Highway 18 infrastructure for the construction of a frontage road south, watermain and storm sewer extensions, site rough grading, curb and gutter, restoration of the work area and other miscellaneous items for $550,537.50. The other project was for two contracts regarding the City Hall Parking lot and Bea Ann Drive Reconstruction. A drop-off lane in front of City Hall will be constructed, as will removal and replacement of concrete curb and gutter, storm sewer work, improvement of erosion drainage, restoration of the work area and other miscellaneous items. The combined cost of both contracts is $191,300.00.
The Council discussed the twohour parking limit along a portion of West Chapel Street and West Merrimac Street due to the related courthouse parking lot project. Because the lot will be closed for a period, longer parking limits will occur. People parking on those streets will not be ticketed if parked longer than two hours.
Approved was the appointment of Matthew Gregg as a poll worker for the remaining 2026-2027 election cycle year. Approved was the appointment by Mayor Hottmann of Larry McConnell and Brian Lundell (alternate) to the Police and Fire Commission.
Also discussed but no action taken was creating a street name for the frontage road being created at the former truck stop for the Tru by Hilton hotel and Pizza Ranch restaurant. Council members and residents can email the Mayor with any ideas on what the street should be named. Action is expected at the next council meeting later this month.
Prior to the meeting the Consent Agenda was Approved which includes the Approval of Minutes from July 21, 2026, and the Approval of Minutes from Special Council Meeting on Monday, July 27, as were the claims as follows;
$867,924.78 General $ 44,605.72 Water
$ 29,367.68 Sewer $941,898.18 Total
A Special Event License was Approved for September 12, 2026, for Alan McCormick at Wilson Park who will be hosting a September Relay. The event is focused on veteran suicide awareness and the hope it will become an annual gathering.
The next scheduled Common Council Regular Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, and 5:30 p.m. at the City Administration Building. To keep up to date on City news, go to dodgevillewi.gov.