VILLAGE OF LA FARGE

                Regular Board Meeting         Monday, December 8, 2025

                                                                                    

1). Village President Aaron Nemec called the regular meeting of the La Farge Village Board to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Emergency Services building, at 201 S. Cherry Street.

        

Roll Call - Present at the meeting:

All Board members: Barbara Melvin, Dave Fish, Karen Leis, Cathy St. John, Terry Jensen, Jill Stoltz, and Aaron Nemec.                   

Also: News reporters’ Lonnie Muller and Bonnie Sherman, Public Works Manager Wayne Haugrud, Utility Clerk Greg Lawton, Police Chief Steve Palmer, and Clerk Kimberly Walker.     

               

2). Verification was given of meeting publishing in the La Farge Episcope, and of posting at the Farmers State Bank, La Farge Post Office, and Village Office on Thursday, December 4, 2025.     

                  

3). Melvin moved, Fish seconded to approve all the previous meetings minutes: (11-10-2025/Regular Village Board meeting; 11-19-2025/Zoning Board of Appeals meeting; 11-19-2025/Planning Commission meeting; 12-1-2025/Public Budget Hearing and Special Village Board meeting; and 9-15-2025, 10-27-2025, and 11-17-2025/Nuisance Property committee meetings). (Carried).    

     

4). Correspondence: Received a $750 donation from the La Farge Lions Club and $550 from LAPA to go towards the new signage at the Parks and village office, along with the Dairyland Power grant of $1,200.          

      

5). Public Comment: None. 

 

6). Utility business:  

**Bart Nies, with Delta 3 Engineering, called to inform us we have been approved for DNR Safe Drinking Water Program funding for the Adams Street project. They requested project funds of $886,585. We were given an estimated grant award of $576,280 and a low interest loan for $310,305, at 1.55% for 20 years. Delta 3 also submitted funding with the Clean Water fund program. This award will be announced at the end of December or in January. The board previously approved this project and to apply for funding. Greg mentioned Senator Baldwins’ office is still working on funds for $250,000 for this project. Fish moved, Leis seconded to approve proceeding with the SDWLP funding. (Carried).      

**On November 20th, a new turbo was installed on the generator, so it’s back in service. We still need to do the air filter system update, which is around $11,000. Waiting for the parts to arrive.     

**December 16th, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Community Center, the DOT is having a public involvement meeting for highway 131 South to the Richland County line. They’re doing some curb ramp work and storm sewer things at Snow Street, which is on us. This project is scheduled for 2028.  

 

7). Old Business: None.       

     

8). Johnson Block & Company sent an engagement letter for accounting assistance. This is for preliminary work ahead of the main audit. And they sent an engagement letter to perform audit and accounting services for the year ending 12-31-2025. These are both for the Village and Utilities. The village audit is February 2nd -4th. Jensen moved, Stoltz seconded to approve both engagement letters. (Carried). 

 

9). Leis moved, St. John seconded to approve said names for election inspectors for the 2026-2027 term: Sherri Schrofer (chief inspector), Gloria Glick (chief inspector), Bonita Dorschied, Barb Melvin, Joan Kent, Mark Glatfelter, Maureen Hysel, Dave Fish, Tammie Lee, Virginia Bilek, John Thomas, Tamara Kokinos, Greg Lawton, and Kim Walker. (Carried).

 

10). Police Chief Steve Palmer gave his monthly report.

**The November report was sent to the board. And the minor computer program issue has been resolved.

 

**Discussed the chronic nuisance rates. Steve is recommending raising the fees to reflect inflation, as well as pay increases (as of the first of the year). As of September 2025, the inflation rate is 3%. The new chronic nuisance rate will be $106 per hour. Documents were sent to board members on how Steve arrived at this number. Jensen moved, Stoltz seconded to approve the rate increase for chronic nuisance calls, to $106 per hour. (Carried).     

 

11). Committee Reports and Updates:    

**Jill had a community member ask her to extend a thank you to all the village employees for the very prompt snow removal job a few weeks ago. They appreciated the good work and that it was done so early.     

**Aaron commented on last Saturdays Small Town Christmas craft show. It was very well attended. A lot of people came to town. And he thanked Barb and LAPA for asking him to read the list of names for the Lights of Love at the tree lighting ceremony.   

**Clinic: Dave reported on a medical committee meeting held tonight to discuss a name change to the clinic building, instead of referring to it as the “old medical clinic”. Aaron did some research thru Brad Steinmetz. A lady by the name of Dr. Lee was the first doctor who was instrumental in helping with the new building. And Dr. Deline was here for the second expansion portion. So the committee is looking at renaming it the Lee/Deline building, which they’re bringing the board for approval. Aaron said this is an awesome story, and will be told at a dedication ceremony, when the new sign goes up this Spring or Summer. This is honoring those people that made this possible. Jensen moved, Melvin seconded to approve the recommendation for a name change from the old medical clinic building to the Lee/Deline building.         

(Carried).  

 

12). Fish moved, Leis seconded to approve payment of the bills. (Carried).

              

13). Jensen moved, St. John seconded to adjourn. (Carried). Adjourned at 6:45 p.m.

     

                                                                                      __________________________________      

                                                           Kimberly Walker, Village Clerk/Treasurer