At the Dodgeville Common Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, September 1, Mayor Hottmann reported that the City is in a strong financial position. He said no additional borrowing will be needed in 2026, and property taxes should not increase this year. Because his report was submitted too late for the council packet, it will be posted on the City’s website for residents to review.
Highlights include moving street projects planned for 2026 to the 2027 capital planning process. Hottmann said the City will eventually need to address the wastewater treatment plant and other infrastructure projects. “Preserving borrowing capacity today gives the City and future Councils greater flexibility to address those large projects when the need arises,” he said.
Hottmann said about $4.03 million remains in the project fund, allowing the City to meet its $3.1 million library commitment without borrowing again in 2026. Remaining capital needs have also declined: 2026 street construction was moved to 2027, Administration Building costs are now below $100,000, and the new street sweeper cost $262,000 instead of the budgeted $300,000.
He said the City can use its replacement fund and other available resources to finance a $425,000 ambulance and a $165,000 fire truck rather than borrow for those purchases. About $436,000 in TID funds is also available for anticipated infrastructure costs.
For 2026, Hottmann recommended using accumulated financial resources before issuing additional debt. He said this approach would fulfill the library commitment, complete the 2026 capital program, preserve a strong operating reserve, and avoid unnecessary interest costs. The City can meet its commitments and fund 2026 capital needs without additional borrowing this year. “The goal is to maintain where we are at with property taxes, avoiding any increases and letting the people know where we are at as budget season begins for 2027,” he said.
During public comment, resident Philip Ley questioned zoning decisions affecting his property, where he has wanted to build storage units. He also asked why the City has not installed retention ponds there, saying he believes it should do so.
Joe Reisen, a Dodgeville resident of 38 years, raised several concerns before the Council. He first asked why there is no stop sign at the Administration Building exit, which he considers a safety issue. Mayor Hottmann said a sign is unnecessary because the exit is a driveway, not a road. Reisen also reported noxious weeds on several city lawns, particularly a neighboring property. He said these prohibited plants should be removed before they mature and spread seeds to nearby yards in the fall.
Reisen said police should warn residents that blowing grass clippings into the street is illegal, noting that the clippings can clog street sweepers and drains. He also urged the City to consider speed bumps through Centennial Park because he has seen vehicles exceed the posted limit. In addition, he raised concerns about people leaving pallets, plastic planters, and other trash at the East Side Cemetery brush site. Because the City has surveillance cameras there, he said officials should use the footage to identify and fine those responsible.
Mayor Hottmann read a ten-minute statement on behalf of resident Wendy Nipple, who was unable to attend because of a disability. Her comments addressed issues she had raised with the Council over the past year, including implementation of City and federal ADA plans; delays in installing accessible stalls and providing meeting audio recordings; snow-removal policies; the alleged improper discussion outside council meetings about not hiring her as public safety officer; providing Zoom access to council meetings; and controlling weed growth on City property.
In his Police Report, Police Chief Brandon Wilhelm noted his department had 290 calls for service in the month of August, which was similar to last year in August. He said Officer Pepper has been in training with school staff as they prepare for the 2026-27 school season which started Tuesday for Dodgeville. He said he visited his two recruits at Western Tech and that both will be ready to begin this October, and that his staff’s recent job posting had five applicants, but that none were certified.
In her Interim Clerk/Treasurer Report, Emily Wolfe noted she has been in training and will continue while preparing for the November election and getting resident care ballots ready as well.
In his Mayor Report, Barry Hottmann mentioned two successful ribbon cutting ceremonies that were recently held, one for the Fox Pointe Villas grand opening ceremony, and for the new Emergency Department at Upland Hills Health Hospital. He mentioned the library project is on time and on track to open this Fall and that a Council tour of the new library could be held on Friday to check on its progress.
In New Business, based on the recommendation of the Public Works Committee, Approved was an estimate from Dubuque Hardwoods not to exceed $26,000 for brush grinding all the brush and logs at the East Side Cemetery. Dubuque Hardwoods has been doing the grinding since 2019. For brush mulch, the cost is $21,750, and the balance not to exceed the $26,000 figure would be for $675 per hour for log mulching.
Based on a recommendation from the Plan Commission, Approved was the Service Agreement with E-Plan contingent to changes requested by the City Attorney. According to Public Works Director Dylan Wadzinski, E-Plan is a company that gets delegated by the State to do commercial plan reviews. An E-plan would have similar plans done by the state but would be guaranteed a reply within 14 days. A developer could still go through the State, but it would take much longer than going with E-Plan. There is no cost to the City, and the City would get a percentage of the fees.
Also approved was the Approval of a Certified Survey Map to subdivide the lot currently owned by the City of Dodgeville relating to the TID 3 Truck Stop Development Project. Also based on the Plan Commission, Approval of a Certified Survey Map to combine lots currently owned by Upland Hills Health contingent to zoning change approval (Parcel #216-1224, 216-0877, 216-0876.A, 216-0876, 216-1224.03, and 216- 0878).
Regarding a City Hall boiler that is not working properly, the Council Approved a new $19,000 boiler with Collins and Hying to swap out the malfunctioning one.
To begin the meeting, the Consent Agenda was Approved to include the Approval of Minutes from August 18, 2026, and the Approval of Claims from September 1, 2026, to include:
$329,490.12 General $21,484.59 Water $25,071.71 Sewer $376,046.43 Total
Also Approved was a Temporary Class “B” Beer and Temporary “Class B” Wine license for the Pio Palooza event hosted by St. Pius of Pietrelcina on September 13, 2026.
The next Common Council Regular Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the City Administration Building. Check out dodgevillewi.gov for additional news, agendas, online services, and other information.