The Viroqua Public Record: April 21, 2026
Tonight, Krista Browne is sworn in as Viroqua's new mayor. Plus: Wednesday's VDA meeting takes up Hanson Farm development proposals and eight parcels of city land.
Your neighbor's guide to what's happening at City Hall this week
The Big Takeaway
Tonight is a big night at City Hall. At 5:00 p.m., Viroqua swears in a new mayor. Justin Running gavels the outgoing council to a close, and Krista Browne takes the oath of office as Viroqua's incoming mayor. Ward 4 also turns over, with Kyle Bartelt stepping into the seat previously held by Emma Hood.
This is the once-every-two-years changing of the guard. The old council adjourns sine die, newly elected officials are sworn in, and the fresh council gets organized under new leadership. The new council will elect its president, Mayor Browne will announce committee appointments, and the ground rules for how your city government operates for the next two years get set. It's a short meeting, but it shapes everything that follows.[1]
Then on Wednesday afternoon, the Viroqua Development Association (VDA) — the board that manages the city's key economic development properties — meets to discuss development proposals for the Hanson Farm, one of the larger parcels of land the city controls for future growth. The board plans to go into closed session to negotiate with potential developers, which means something concrete may be in the works.[2]
Money Watch
No specific dollar figures on Tuesday's council agenda, but one routine item worth noting: the council will designate depositories for City funds — essentially deciding which banks hold Viroqua's money until it gets spent.[1]
On Wednesday, the VDA board will review its treasurer's report and pay outstanding bills, and take up the renewal of its Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance — that's the policy that protects board members from personal liability when they make decisions on behalf of the public. No dollar figures were listed on the agenda, but the treasurer's report should lay it all out at the meeting.[2]
Coming Up
Special Meeting of the Common Council
City Hall's lower-level community room (124 W Decker Street). Open to the public with two public comment periods — one near the start and one before adjournment. If you want the new mayor and council's first impression of you to be a good one, this is your moment. You can also attend virtually: Join via Zoom (Meeting ID: 863 8467 7501).[1]
VDA Regular Meeting at City Hall, Lower Level Community Room
There are two public comment periods (one near the start, one before adjournment), so if you have thoughts about what should happen with the Hanson Farm or the Viroqua Business Park, this is your window.[2]
McIntosh Memorial Library Board
The McIntosh Memorial Library Board meets. Full agenda details were unavailable at press time — keep an eye on the library's postings for specifics.[3]
NIMS Training for Elected Officials
The council will pick a date from five options: May 6, May 13, May 20, May 27, or June 3. NIMS (National Incident Management System) training is required for elected officials so they understand emergency response coordination. Think of it as "what to do when things go sideways" school.[1]
The Quick Rundown
Adjournment sine die — That's Latin for "without another day," meaning the old council formally dissolves. Mayor Running gavels his final meeting to a close, and no more business is conducted under the outgoing council. Then the newly elected officials take their oath and get right to work.[1]
Election of Council president — The alderpersons will vote among themselves to choose who runs meetings when Mayor Browne isn't available. Worth watching if you're curious about internal council dynamics under new leadership.[1]
Council rules and amendments — The new council reviews and approves its operating rules: how long public comments can be, how votes are conducted, meeting procedures. Any proposed changes from past practice could signal a shift in tone under the new administration.[1]
Official City newspaper designation — The council picks which local paper publishes legal notices (meeting announcements, public hearings, ordinances). Required by state law, and it determines where you'd see official city business in print.[1]
Mayor's committee appointments — Mayor Browne will announce who sits on which council committees — Finance/Personnel, Public Works, Parks & Rec, Public Safety, and others. This is arguably the most consequential item on tonight's agenda, since committee assignments determine which alderpersons shape policy in each area before it ever reaches a full council vote — and these will be the first appointments of the new administration.[1]
Hanson Farm infrastructure update (Wednesday): The VDA board will get a progress report on infrastructure development at the Hanson Farm site. This likely covers roads, utilities, and site preparation — the groundwork that has to happen before any developer can break dirt.[2]
VDA organizational housekeeping: The board will also discuss possible changes to its by-laws, articles of incorporation, or other organizational documents. Could be routine cleanup, could be something more significant — worth keeping an eye on.[2]
One More Thing
Tonight is a literal handoff. Justin Running passes the gavel after his time as mayor; Krista Browne picks it up and becomes the person steering council meetings for the next two years. Kyle Bartelt takes Emma Hood's Ward 4 seat. One group walks in with the titles, another walks out with them. Democracy in real time, happening at 5 p.m. on a Tuesday in the basement of City Hall — and worth showing up for.[1]
On the economic development side: the VDA's closed session agenda references eight separate tax parcels spread across the Hanson Farm and Business Park. That's a lot of land potentially in play at once. For a small city like Viroqua, having active negotiations on that many parcels simultaneously is a sign that economic development interest may be picking up. Whether that means new businesses, housing, or something else entirely — stay tuned.[2]
Sources
[1] Special Common Council Agenda — April 21, 2026 — View Document
[2] VDA Regular Meeting Agenda – April 22, 2026 — View Document
The Viroqua Public Record is an independent community summary of public meetings. It is not affiliated with the City of Viroqua.