The Viroqua Public Record: September 26, 2026
Breaking down the school referendum pitch, the early 2027 budget talks, a closed-door Emplify Health land deal in the business park, and a pile of no-dollar-figure pay requests and contracts ahead of Tuesday's meetings.
Your neighbor's guide to what's happening at City Hall — September 26, 2026
The Big Takeaway
Two things worth your attention this week, both about money that will eventually show up on a tax bill. First, the Viroqua Area Schools will present to the Common Council on the November 3rd school referendum — your earliest chance to hear the district's pitch directly and ask questions before you vote [1]. Second, the Finance/Personnel Committee is working through the draft 2027 Administrative and other budgets, which is the quiet, early stage of setting next year's city spending [2]. Also on the council's list: a closed-door discussion about a Memorandum of Understanding with Emplify Health to buy property in the Viroqua Business Park [1]. A memorandum of understanding is a non-binding outline of a deal — nothing is final — but it's a signal that the business park may have a significant new tenant in the works. Remember, all of this is proposed. These are agendas for a meeting that hasn't happened yet.
Money Watch
• An honest caveat up front: the council agenda names these items but publishes no dollar figures, so we can't tell you what any of them cost — or what they'd mean per household. That information typically surfaces in the meeting packet and the minutes afterward [1].
• Here's what's on the table:
• Center Avenue project — pay request #10. The tenth installment to the contractor on this road project. Amount not listed [1]. - Hanson Farm project — pay request #11, plus a contract with Vierbicher (an engineering and planning firm) for the Hanson Farm street extension, and a change order on that same extension [1]. A change order is a mid-project adjustment to scope or price — a common source of budget surprises, and worth watching. The Public Works Committee is taking up the change order before it reaches the full council [3]. - Generator replacement for Well #5 — one of the city's water wells — and a separate generator contract with Total Energy Systems covering utilities and the fire department [1][3]. Backup power for a well is what keeps water flowing when the grid goes down. - A city contribution to the Elevate Vernon Grant program, a joint effort with Vernon County. Discussion with possible action; no amount named [1]. - A revised state/municipal financial agreement for the Highway 14 & Main Street HSIP project. HSIP stands for Highway Safety Improvement Program — federal safety dollars at one of Viroqua's busiest intersections. The revision spells out how costs are split between the city and the state [1]. - A non-lapsing fund request for EMS money. In plain terms: a resolution letting unspent ambulance-service dollars carry over to the next year instead of disappearing back into the general fund [1].
Coming Up
📍 CITY HALL LOWER-LEVEL COMMUNITY ROOM
💻 Join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 869 9793 3860)
📄 Full agenda
📍 CITY HALL LOWER-LEVEL COMMUNITY ROOM
💻 Join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 832 0481 6475)
📄 Full agenda
📍 CITY HALL LOWER-LEVEL COMMUNITY ROOM
💻 Join by Zoom (Meeting ID: 852 1920 5130)
📄 Full agenda
Meetings are open to the public — most have a public comment period near the top of the agenda. See the city's full meeting calendar for dates beyond the next two weeks.
The Quick Rundown
• A new ordinance on "temporary emergency residential relief permits" gets its first reading [1]. First reading means it's being introduced, not voted into law — there's still time for public input. The agenda doesn't spell out the details, but the name suggests temporary housing allowances for people displaced by an emergency. If you live near anyone who might be affected, this is the one to follow.
• Four certified survey maps are up for review and approval — from Ben Hansen, Shawn & Phoebe Engh, Popp Funeral & Cremation Service LLC, and an extraterritorial map (meaning land just outside city limits but within the city's review area) from Vikemyr/Wangen Properties LLC [1]. A certified survey map is the paperwork that splits or redraws property lines — routine, but it's how neighborhoods slowly change shape.
• Mutual aid ambulance is up for discussion with possible action under Public Safety [1]. Mutual aid means neighboring departments backing each other up on calls.
• Operator license approvals — the permits for people who serve alcohol — are also on the list [1].
One More Thing
The Sign Design Review Board met on September 22 with three new sign applications on its agenda: Driftless Health LLC at 124.5 S Main Street, Frost & Fire Wellness LLC at 1218 N Main Street, and Animal Tracks Veterinary Services at 1225 Nelson Road [4]. Three businesses ordering signs is about as good a sign as you'll find — pun fully intended. Watch for new storefronts on both ends of Main Street.
Sources
[1] Common Council Agenda, September 29, 2026 — View Document
[2] Finance/Personnel Committee Agenda, September 29, 2026 — View Document
[3] Public Works Committee Agenda, September 29, 2026 — View Document
[4] Sign Design Review Board Amended Agenda, September 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.