FORT ATKINSON REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTUES, JANUARY 7, 2026
Mayor Paul Herold called the January meeting of the Fort Atkinson City Council to order on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Eich, P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Leuenberger and Futrell. Also present were: Mayor Paul Herold, Greg Barta, Michele Elsbernd, Ronald Franzen, Matthew Shatek, Emmalu Brandau, Steve Kelsay, Carl Schmitt, Jason Herold, Jay Schwamman, Maddie Putman and Jamie Neuzil.
The clerk/treasurer reports and claims listed below will be approved at the next meeting .
| Claims Dec 25 | ||
| Acentek | phone/internet | 576.13 |
| Alliant | electric | 2656.80 |
| Anderson Law | legal | 434.00 |
| Badger Meter | meter read | 63.65 |
| Bank Iowa | hsa | 800.00 |
| Citizens Svgs | taxes | 3847.84 |
| Column | pub min | 87.27 |
| Consolidated | propane | 2128.16 |
| David Gehling | drug consort | 300.00 |
| Decorah Tech | tech | 300.00 |
| Farmers Union | fuel | 507.74 |
| Fort Nursery | roping | 42.50 |
| Franzen Sales | slip plate | 40.13 |
| Hawkeye Sanit | collection | 6796.95 |
| Hawkins | chemicals | 848.87 |
| Ia Dept Rev | wet tax | 444.11 |
| HM Cragg | generator repair water | 1927.50 |
| Iowa Finance | interest and fees GO | 6600.00 |
| Iowa Finance | interest and fees | 7750.00 |
| Iowa Finance | interest and fees sewer | 2750.00 |
| Iowa Finance | interest fees lagoon | 18290.00 |
| Iowa One Call | locate | 24.30 |
| Ipers | ipers | 2303.03 |
| JD Financial | supplies | 493.94 |
| K & W Coatings | tower repair | 3895.00 |
| Keystone | testing | 42.50 |
| L & R Mfg | grate | 133.43 |
| Lickety Split | fuel | 346.09 |
| Nationwide | bond | 100.00 |
| Ness Pumping | rental | 2200.00 |
| State Ia | taxes | 297.36 |
| US Cell | cell serv | 37.24 |
| Visa | supplies | 452.96 |
| Wellmark | health ins | 717.90 |
| Total | 68235.40 | |
| Payroll | 18536.00 | |
| Total w/payroll | Dec | 86771.40 |
| Revenue | ||
| General | 12120.34 | |
| Road Use | 3055.42 | |
| Benefits | 473.69 | |
| Debt Serv | 1991.48 | |
| Lost | 8300.98 | |
| Water | 8526.70 | |
| Library | 1590.00 | |
| Sewer | 14828.66 | |
| Total | 50887.27 | |
| Wages 2025 | ||
| Barta, Greg | 76488.00 | |
| Elsbernd, Miche | 18660.00 | |
| Herold, Paul | 1690.00 | |
| Lewis, Laura | 19043.53 | |
| Schroeder, Lori | 315.00 | |
| Leuenberger, Da | 455.00 | |
| Schmitt, Paul | 490.00 | |
| Schmitt, Kay | 455.00 | |
| Glass, Bob | 490.00 | |
| Sindelar, Lynn | 1175.15 | |
| Lensing, Raymond | 2580.00 | |
| Lensing, Earl | 9068.65 | |
| Total payroll | 130910.33 | |
Maddie Putman from Winneshiek County Development was present to give a year end review for the organization. She stated that housing is a high priority. She mentioned many project that WCED had worked on within the last year.
Carl Schmitt presented a draft of the 28E agreement between the Washington Township Trustees and the City of Fort Atkinson. The 28E would be for a two year period and renewable at the end of that time. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by P. Schmitt to approve the 28 E Agreement between the township and the city. All aye, motion carried.
Jason Herold was present to discuss and request approval for the LOSAP resolution. This is a retirement fund designed to support recruitment and retention of fire fighters. Jason answered questions and a motion was made by Eich, seconded by Luenberger to approve Resolution # 405-1 establishing the LOSAP program. Aye: P. Schmitt, K. Schmitt, Eich, Leuenberger & Futrell. Motion carried.
The new officers for the Fort Atkinson Fire Department were presented for council approval as follows: Chief: Levi Holstad, 1st. Assistant: Keith Herold, 2nd. Assistant: Jay Schwamman, Treasurer: Jim Schmitt and Secretary: Chelsey Brummond. Motion by K. Schmitt, second by Futrell to approve the officers as presented. All aye, motion carried.
Steve Kelsay, Winneshiek County Supervisor brought up items that may be of interest to the council. He asked for input regarding Winneshiek County Conservation, talked about library funding and discussed B-32 and W-14.
Matt Shatek inquired if there were plans for a water main behind his property. It was stated that this is not in the plans at the present.
Greg stated that he had items for discussion during the budget planning session after the meeting. The public is welcome at this session.
The Oak Hill Cemetery discussion will be tabled to a future meeting.
Motion by Eick, second by P. Schmitt to approve Ordinance # 48 inserting a chapter in the Fort Atkinson City Code book to require numbers on all building at a minimum of 4” high and that the buildings without numbers have 30 days to have the numbers installed. Building with current numbers are grandfathered. Aye: K. Schmitt, Futrell, Eich, P. Schmitt and Leuenberger. Ordinance passes unanimously. The ordinance becomes effective upon posting as required by law.
Motion by K. Schmitt, seconded by Leuenberger to adjourn. All aye, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:11 P.M.
__________________________________________
Paul Herold, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________
Michele Elsbernd, City Clerk
After the meeting the council and city staff discussed budget planning for the 26-27 budget year and city maintenance mentioned items of concern that would need to be replaced or repaired in the not to distant future. One item in particular is the 160’ of ductile pipe that had recently developed a 4” hole at the water tower. Greg feels this needs to be replaced as soon as possible before more issues develop. This project has a 60-100,000 estimate. The funding for this necessary repair was discussed (the funds MUST come from water funds). Also discussed were water items that will need to be addressed within the next 10 years. Plans were discussed for street repair to 8th. Ave, 1st St, 9th Ave and 2nd. St. Pickup replacement was also discussed along with other budgeting items.
The Fort Atkinson City Council held a budget planning session on January 13, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fort Atkinson Community Center. Present were: Mayor Herold, K. Schmitt, P. Schmitt, Eich, Futrell, Leuenberger, Greg Barta & Michele Elsbernd. Various options to repair the water tower issues were discussed. The clerk, Greg Barta and Kay Schmitt had a conference call with the cities financial advisor Maggie Berger with Speed Financial to discuss various funding options.