The Viroqua Public Record: April 28, 2026
Brush and compost switch-up, city admin resignation, and major finance moves in Viroqua City Hall!
Your plain-English guide to what City Hall's been up to — March & April 2026
The Big Takeaway
If you use the city's brush and compost drop-off site, your routine is about to change. The DNR required Viroqua to overhaul how it handles yard waste, so the brush and compost site will be closed to residents. Instead, you'll bring your brush and compost to the Public Works shop location near the new salt shed, where the city will haul it to the brush site weekly. Commercial users will need to pay a fee, get a key, and keep a log of what they drop off. Cameras are going in at both locations. The Council approved the plan on March 31 with only one abstention (Alderperson Kirking). Budget for the transition: up to $5,000 for site prep and cameras.[1] [7]
Money Watch
$188,390 in bills approved at the April 14 Council meeting ($107,307 + $81,083).[1]
$1,032,647 in bills approved March 31 — a big month that included $809,730 in one batch.[2]
$519,881 in bills approved March 10.[3]
Hanson Farm project continues to draw payments: $181,600 (pay request #4, March) and $62,471 (pay request #5, March 31).[3] [2]
Welcome Center surprises: Change orders added $11,500 to the renovation — $8,500 for unexpected concrete footings found under the floor, and $3,000 for removing non-historic cement blocks. The project deadline also slid from May 15 to June 25.[2]
East South Street road work: Mathy won the asphalt bid at $49,830 ($138/ton). Augelli got the concrete work — $21/ft for curb, $8/sq ft for driveway. Both were low bids.[2] [8]
Parks & Rec gear: Council approved a $29,400 Sandpro field drag and a $28,977 Kubota UTV (diesel, enclosed cab, hydraulic lift) for watering Main Street flowers and other duties. Both funded from previous borrowing.[3]
Library furniture: A Vibrant Spaces grant is covering $24,264 for new project furniture at the McIntosh Memorial Library.[3]
The city switched its USDA debt reserve funds to a Money Market account at Citizens, jumping from 0.15% to 1% interest — a small but smart move on restricted funds.[2] [7]
Coming Up
Finance/Personnel Committee
Squad car insurance settlement and replacement plan on the agenda. Join via Zoom
Common Council
City Administrator Torres has resigned. The Council will accept the resignation, review a revised job description, approve a posting, and set a hiring timeline. Hanson Farm development agreements and a TID 7 boundary expansion are also on the table.
Last-minute addition: The VFW land is going into closed session. If residents want to see the city do something about a potential private sale, tonight is the night to show up.
Eckhart Park fundraising is about $20,000 short of its goal. The Lion's Club sent a check, but more is needed. If you've been thinking about contributing, now's the time.[5]
Center Avenue construction starts in May, with a construction meeting the week of April 7. Xcel has already moved poles, and the wire across Main Street was scheduled for removal the week of April 13.[7]
Hanson Farm development is moving toward MOUs and development agreements — expect those on future agendas. The Business Park is also generating interest.[5]
519 E. Decker Street: A conditional use application was withdrawn because the project changed from a single dwelling to a potential duplex. The applicant plans to reapply — watch for a new public hearing.[2]
The parking lot by Mr. G's on Court Street has been flagged by resident Ruthie Zahm (twice!) as badly potholed — delivery drivers are refusing to use it. She's asked the city to discuss resealing. No action yet, but it's on the radar.[2] [8]
Federal grant applications are in the pipeline through both Rep. Van Orden's and Sen. Baldwin's offices for a fire engine replacement, the West South Street water/sewer/road project, and a lift station project.[3]
The Quick Rundown
Summer events approved: Temporary beer/wine licenses passed for the Driftless Music Festival (July 11, Eckhart Park), Viroqua Pride (June 27, Eckhart Park), and eight Live in Viroqua events on West Court Street running May through August.[1]
Wild Hare Gravel Race approved for September 26 at the fairgrounds — a bike race mostly on private property and public right-of-way.[1]
Board appointments: Brian Wrobel joins Tourism; Bill Brooke returns to Board of Review; Brian Ekern stays on Police & Fire Commission; Jan Rasikas continues on Plan Commission; Jean Klousia reappointed to Board of Appeals.[1]
Fire contract with towns: Council approved a new intergovernmental agreement after closed session on March 10, pending city attorney review.[3]
City Administrator employment agreement: Council approved a formal agreement for Nate Torres after closed session March 31 — described as standard practice that wasn't done when he was hired. (Note: Torres has since resigned — see tonight's Council agenda.)[2]
Hydrant flushing notices will no longer run in the newspaper due to rising costs. The city will stick with Facebook, the website, utility bills, and radio (WVRQ & WKPO).[8]
One More Thing
The April 14 Council meeting lasted exactly 18 minutes — called to order at 6:30, gaveled out at 6:48. That might be a record. Meanwhile, the March 31 marathon ran past 9 p.m. with two closed sessions. Government: sometimes a sprint, sometimes an ultramarathon.[1] [2]
Sources
[1] Common Council Minutes – April 14, 2026 — View Document
[2] Common Council Minutes – March 31, 2026 — View Document
[3] Common Council Minutes – March 10, 2026 — View Document
[4] Finance/Personnel Minutes – April 14, 2026 — View Document
[5] Finance/Personnel Minutes – March 31, 2026 — View Document