The Viroqua Public Record, July 30, 2026
City Administrator hire, VFW land deal, and Hanson Farm road naming
Your neighbor's guide to what's happening at City Hall — July 30, 2026
The Big Takeaway
Viroqua is close to naming a new City Administrator — the person who runs day-to-day city operations. Fourteen people applied, the hiring team narrowed that to seven for virtual interviews in mid-July, and the Council held a special meeting on Monday, July 27 for interviews. An offer of employment was listed on the Council's July 28 agenda under closed session, so a decision may already have been made; minutes from that meeting had not been posted as of this writing. Whoever takes the job will inherit a busy desk: a new Comprehensive Plan, short-term rental rules, the landfill project, and a possible land deal with the VFW.[1][2][3]
Money Watch
• At its July 14 meeting, the Council approved two summer road treatments. Chip seal work went to Scott at $27,628, and microsurfacing (a thin resurfacing layer that seals and smooths pavement) went to Struck & Irwin at $26,728.05 for South and North Rock Avenue. Together that's about $54,000 — roughly the cost of a single mid-size pickup truck, spread across the whole city.[1]
• The Council also approved three change orders on the Welcome Center project. Two cost nothing (a camera substitution and a completion-date shift to August 17, 2026); the third added $5,289 to install outlets so food trucks can plug in. Routine bill payments that night totaled $476,866.57 plus an additional $234,406.67.[1]
• Three money items appeared on later agendas with no dollar figures listed: an amendment to the city's contract with Vierbicher for work on the TID #7 tax district, interim financing for the landfill project, and the Library Board's review of quotes for audio-visual equipment at The Hub. The Library Board was also scheduled to take a first look at its 2027 draft budget, and Public Works to review its 2027 budget — early steps in the process that eventually shapes next year's tax bill.[2][5][7]
Coming Up
On the agenda: updates on the short-term rental ordinance after it went before the Council, accessory dwelling units (small second homes on an existing lot, sometimes called granny flats), and a discussion of tiny homes. Nothing is final; these are working discussions. At City Hall's lower level. Can't make it in person? Join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 865 6180 0165).[4]
A temporary Class "B" beer license for the celebration was up for action at both Public Safety and Council. If you're planning to attend, this is what makes the beer tent legal.[2][6]
Because of the August 11 primary election, the Council discussed moving that night's meeting. Check the city's posted agendas before heading out.[2]
Nothing else is posted for the next two weeks — new agendas appear on the city's meeting calendar as they're published.
The Quick Rundown
• The Comprehensive Plan: The Plan Commission held a public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan draft on July 15, with possible approval of the final draft the same evening. This is the document that guides zoning and growth decisions for years. The Housing Advisory Board is getting a report tonight on how the hearing went.[8][4]
• A new neighborhood takes shape: Hanson Farm streets will be named Clover Drive, Alfalfa Way, Lilac Lane, and Violet Lane, per Alderperson Cyndy Hubbard. The plat of survey and a ninth contractor payment were both on the July 28 Council agenda.[1][2]
• A cell tower antenna: LCC Telecom Services applied to add antennas to the existing tower at 619 Railroad Avenue — a co-location, meaning no new tower.[2]
• Library ribbon cutting: The Library Board discussed an August 14 ribbon cutting ceremony, along with the county's Stuff the Bus school supply drive.[7]
• New signs downtown and beyond: The Sign Design Review Board reviewed applications from the Viroqua Airport, Valley Stewardship Network (520 S Main), Vernon Health (507 S Main), and H&R Block (117 FS Drive).[9]
• Eckhart Park is in the demolition and construction phase, Mayor Krista Browne told the Council.[1]
• Forty acres: The Council scheduled a closed session to discuss the possible purchase or lease of forty acres of VFW land. Wisconsin law allows closed sessions for property negotiations; any actual decision must be announced in open session.[2]
One More Thing
Viroqua's Historic Preservation Commission was set to receive a national Commission of the Year excellence award on July 25 in Minneapolis — a genuinely uncommon honor for a city this size. Alderperson Tanja Birke also reminded everyone that the Viroqua Community Theater opened Little Shop of Horrors, and Alderperson Steve Willis noted the library's after-school program for kindergarten through fourth grade is open for sign-ups.[1]
Sources
[1] Common Council Minutes – July 14, 2026 — View Document
[2] Common Council Amended Agenda – July 28, 2026 — View Document
[3] Special Council Meeting Agenda – July 27, 2026 — View Document
[4] Housing Advisory Board Agenda – July 30, 2026 — View Document
[5] Public Works Committee Agenda – July 21, 2026 — View Document
[6] Public Safety Committee Agenda – July 21, 2026 — View Document
[7] Library Board Agenda – July 23, 2026 — View Document
[8] Plan Commission Agenda – July 15, 2026 — View Document
[9] Sign Design Review Board Amended Agenda – July 22, 2026 — View Document
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The Viroqua Public Record is an independent community summary of public meetings. It is not affiliated with the City of Viroqua.