Lake Geneva could use leftover funds for additional projects
Establishing a K9 program for the Lake Geneva Police Department or purchasing an accessible fire safety trailer for the fire department are some of the things that could be accomplished in the city of Lake Geneva by the end of the year using leftover funding.
Lake Geneva officials recently learned that the city has about $645,000 leftover in capital funds and are considering options for using the money.
Some of the items that are being consider include purchasing the fire safety trailer for about $223,900; establishing the K9 program for about $62,922; installing an additional columbarium at Oakhill Cemetery for about $26,339; purchasing a utility vehicle for the Parks Department for about $40,000; and installing security cameras near the city wells and water towers for about $19,800.
Those project have been proposed for 2027 but could be completed by the end of this year with the extra funding.
Members of the Lake Geneva City Council discussed the proposals during their June 22 meeting.
Lake Geneva officials are considering establishing a K9 program for the Lake Geneva Police Department with leftover capital funds.
Alderwoman Catherine Stoodley, said the columbarium is needed because of the increased number of cremations that have occurred at the cemetery during the past 30 years, the fire safety trailer would help residents learn how to escape an emergency situation and the K9 program would improve safety in the community.
“I think you will see that K9’s serve a lot of different purposes, and we live in a great community but we know there are drugs in our schools,” Stoodley said. “We know there are things that are going on. K9’s save lives.”
Alderwoman Linda Frame said she is in favor of the majority of the projects but feels the utility vehicle is not needed at this time since the Parks Department has not been completely established.
“Maybe in future years, we can look at it again,” Frame said.
Alderman Joel Hoiland said he would like to use some of the funding to repair city roads and install a welcome sign near the eastern entrance of the community.
“I’m not sure why that wouldn’t be included,” Hoiland said of the welcome sign. “That wouldn’t take long to do. That’s something that would be vital to this city.”
Alderwoman Mary Jo Fesenmaier agrees that a portion of the funding should be allocated for repairing roads.
“Whether it’s completing whole roads that are bad or doing patches, that should be our priority,” Fesenmaier said.
City Council members are set to vote on the proposed projects during their July 13 meeting, which is scheduled to be held at 6 p.m. in the city hall building, council chambers, 626 Geneva St.
Lake Geneva officials have approved to install a third columbarium at Oak Hill Cemetery with leftover capital funding.
How additional funding came about
The additional funding became available based on projects that came under budget or did not need to be completed.
City Council members approved on June 8 to allocate about $90,000 of that funding to repave an alleyway between Cook and Madison streets and improve a stormwater system in that area, and about $38,000 to install roll-out mats near the city’s boat and kayak launch areas and along Riviera Beach to help make those areas more accessible for people with disabilities.
Members of the Lake Geneva City Council recently approved to allocate about $90,000 of extra funding to repair an alleyway near Cook Street. City officials are considering using the leftover funding for other projects.
Lake Geneva officials are required to spend the majority of the leftover money by the end of the year. If all the proposed projects are approved, the city would have about $40,000 left from the additional funds.
“According to the bond council, we can maintain up to $100,000 without penalties or interest for arbitration to keep in our fund to utilize for other future projects if we carry forth that money,” Comptroller Laura Pisarcik said. “So far, $40,00 was a good target because some of these projects will come under budget because they’re all ongoing right now.”
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