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Town of Clinton Annual Meeting April 22, 2023
Annual meeting was called to order by Chairman Leis at 10 am at the Town Hall with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approve Minutes:
Wayne Leis made a motion to amend the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes to state that the vote to approve the grant for Irish Ridge and for the board to proceed with project passed unanimously. 2nd by Mike Schmitz; motion passed.
Darin Von Ruden made a motion to pass the amended 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes. 2nd by Scot Sanders; motion passed.
Financial Report:
Peter Appleman asked about Irish Ridge loans as he didn’t see them on the report. Chairman Leis didn’t know why it wasn’t included. Treasurer Jan Clark was asked as she prepared the document, she said she didn’t know.
Lori Schmitz commented all Bank Statements should come to the Treasurer.
Ole Grodahl asked about the Amish Buggy tax listed. Chairman Leis explained it was voluntary Amish contributions that they paid to the county, similar to a wheel tax. Vernon County Highway Commissioner Phil Hewitt gets the money and disburses it between townships that Amish payors reside in.
Peter Appleman asked about if Vernon County enacted a new wheel tax. Yes, they did.
Peter Appleman also asked about if there was a 2022 pro forma for Irish Ridge. No there isn’t. He then asked when Irish Ridge is scheduled to finish. Chairman Leis said the finish date should be July 31, 2023 with pavement occurring June 30. Scotts Construction is doing the mat with a 1-year warranty. Approximate cost is $381,000 Town of Clinton share with $65,000 already paid from the Amish Fund, leaving $315,000 due to be paid through debt service.
Peter Appleman made a motion to accept the financial report. 2nd by Mike Schmitz; motion passed.
General Discussion:
Lori Schmitz made a motion stating that since the Town Clerk and Patrolman now live under the same roof, which has never happened before, and payroll is one of the largest budgetary items, she would like to have a full audit of the clerk’s books done at the end of every fiscal year with a special emphasis on payroll and employee reimbursement. 2nd by Dawn Anderson. Discussion about cost of full audit vs review of records; cost is very dependent on firm, frequency, scope. Stephanie Stock commented the Town should get 3 estimates from CPA’s for both full audits and yearly records review. When was the last audit? Maybe when Thea Von Ruden was appointed clerk? Lori Hemmersbach pointed out at least 2 other townships in Vernon County have the clerk and patrolman living under same roof so this is not unheard of. Jan Clark thought maybe the grant amounts may generate an audit as this had been the case previously with FEMA funds. Ole Grodahl asked about a state audit. Wayne Leis amended the motion to say that it was non-binding and the audit should check 2 years or so past. 2nd by Peter Appleman. Motion passed with Ole Grodahl not feeling a full audit is necessary and opposing as stated.
Lori Schmitz asked who has village powers as she would like the Town to change to a 5-member board. She thought it would be nice to stagger members so someone knows what goes on. Wis. Stat. 60.21 was read. Darin Von Ruden said we need to find out if we have Village Powers. Peter Appleman thought we did under Jim Neubauer, but he wonders if they are still valid or if they were revoked. Discussion was tabled as not enough information was known.
The question was asked if we could amend our town bylaws? No one was certain offhand. It will need to be checked with the Towns Association.
Motion to adjourn by Wayne Leis, 2nd by Darin Von Ruden; motion passed.
Motion to come out of adjournment by Wayne Leis, 2nd by Darin Von Ruden; motion passed.
Annual meeting date for 2024. Lori Schmitz stated it should be held as required on the 3rd Tuesday in April. Wayne Leis felt Saturday is better for people to attend. Motion by Wayne Leis to hold the Annual Meeting Saturday, April 20th at 10 a.m. at the Town Hall. 2nd by Mike Schmitz; motion passed.
Motion to adjourn by Wayne Leis, 2nd by Stephanie Stock; motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 10:41 a.m.
2023 Annual Meeting Attendees:
Dawn R. Anderson, S1450 Knapp Valley Road
Peter Appleman, S1425 County Road P
Fred Brandt, S10209 County Road P
Jan Clark, E11140 County Road P
Mava Clark, E11140 County Road P
Donnelle Grodahl, E10218 Andy Miller Road
Ole Grodahl, E10218 Andy Miller Road
Lori Hemmersbach, E10206 Kelbel Road
Corey Leis, E11016 Leis Road
Wayne Leis, S914 Dell Road
Scot Sanders, E10206 Kelbel Road
Lori Schmitz, address not recorded on sign in sheet
Mike Schmitz, E10956 Cary Road
Steve Schmitz, S1867 Woods Ridge Road
Stephanie Stock, E10880 County Road P
Darin Von Ruden, S1299 Town Road 57