The Fennimore City Council met for the final time in 2025 on Monday, Dec. 15.
In her report, City Clerk Ashley Edge stated that the 2025 audit preparation has started, and we will have auditors on site March 18-20. In addition to the 2025 audit with Johnson and Block, Edge stated January goals also included: finalize Public Works Department budgets and year-end, and beginning of the year procedures, as well as continue to work through the personnel practices manual.
Edge also stated in her report that the library received its second payment request from the grant, and checks have been dispersed from those funds.
Director of Public Works Anthony Downing stated they went from leaf pickup to snow removal in a matter of three days with the recent snow storms.
In his report, he stated all city employees recently attended a basic safety refresher class and that the city listed their 1988 JD Track loader, 1999 and 2003 IH Dump trucks, the water department’s 2014 F250, and the 2017 Ford Explorer on Wisconsin Surplus, which resulted in total sales amount of $48,810.
Later in the meeting, the council approved Downing’s request to use those funds, as well as some “set aside,” toward the purchase of a new mini excavator.
In his last report as Fennimore Chief of Police before his upcoming retirement, Chief Chris French stated that newly hired officer Michael McCoy started orientation and training with the department, and will attend Southwest Tech’s law enforcement academy from January to May.
After academy graduation, he will complete several weeks of field training and then start covering shifts.
French also reported that all administrative accounts and responsibilities have been switched over to the new administrative team and they anticipate a seamless transition to the new police department leadership at the end of the month.
French is retiring at month’s end with Walt Dresen set to become the city’s new chief of police, and Adam Fecht taking on Dresen’s former role as assistant chief.
He went on to state that Fennimore Officers remain busy with drug interdiction efforts, investigations, and citizen complaints.
The council approved a bid for water tower maintenance, namely exterior and interior painting, from USG (Utility Service Group), a company specializing in water tower maintenance, including large-scale painting and rehabilitation projects.
The council also amended/corrected “Chapter 7” under municipal utilities to do away with a listed one time service fee for connection charge to the public sewer as it was deemed unnecessary.
It now reads “monthly charges are reflected in the Current Schedule of Fees,” which were updated to the water usage rate increase approved by the council in October.
Lastly, with the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays being on Thursdays this year, the council approved a request to have the city office also closed the following Fridays after, with employees using “paid time off.”
City offices will be closed Dec. 24, 25, and 26, as well as Dec. 31, Jan. 1, and 2.
The council then moved into closed session to discuss employee contracts and possible sale of a city owned lot.
The next and first council meeting of 2026 is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 19 in the council chambers of the Memorial Building.
