The Viroqua Public Record — Week of February 13, 2026
The Viroqua Public Record
Your weekly digest of city business — Week of February 9–18, 2026
The Big Takeaway
Viroqua is juggling a lot of big-picture planning right now, and several items coming up could reshape daily life in town. The Plan Commission is actively working on rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — think granny flats or backyard cottages — and short-term rental regulations (like Airbnb-type properties). At the same time, the city is deep into updating its Comprehensive Plan, which is essentially the blueprint for how Viroqua grows over the next couple of decades. If you have opinions about housing, development, or what your neighborhood looks like in ten years, now is the time to pay attention.
Money Watch
- The Common Council on February 10 will consider pay request #1 for the Eckhart Playground project — the first installment to the contractor for that work. No dollar amount was listed on the agenda, but this is the city cutting the first check on a project already approved.
- The Council will also vote on a TRC contract for landfill gas system design options. This one has been working through the Public Works Committee since early February. Landfill gas systems can be expensive to engineer, so watch for details on what this contract costs.
- A public works non-lapsing fund resolution — basically a savings account that lets unspent public works money roll over instead of disappearing at year's end — has been tabled since January 13 and is back on the table February 10.
- The Public Works Committee on February 17 will review a USDA application for landfill financing and set a public hearing date. Federal financing usually means the city is looking at a significant infrastructure investment.
- The Viroqua Development Association meets February 18 and will go into closed session to discuss development proposals for the Hanson Farm property and the Viroqua Business Park. Something is clearly cooking on the economic development front, though the details are behind closed doors for now.
Coming Up
Common Council
Key votes: landfill gas contract, a lease agreement with Michaels for land use, possible changes to city hall hours (worth watching if you do business at city hall), and a closed session on the GFL garbage/recycling contract and use of the Vernon County Landfill. Zoom available: Meeting ID 879 4762 8634.
Plan Commission
Takes up ADUs, short-term rentals, and the Comprehensive Plan. Zoom ID: 830 8705 3250.
Public Works Committee
Discusses the Lincoln Street lift station design, brush/compost site changes, and that USDA landfill financing application. Zoom ID: 849 9194 7508.
Public Safety Committee
Tackles winter parking fines and towing during snow events and noxious weed ordinance changes. If you've ever been frustrated about cars blocking the plow — or worried about getting towed yourself — this is your meeting. Zoom ID: 823 4797 9041.
The Quick Rundown
Viroqua Fire Dept. fundraiser: The Public Safety Committee will consider a temporary beer license for the Fire Department Association's annual fundraiser on March 14. Expect easy approval — this is a community staple.
Airport updates: The Airport Commission meets Feb. 11 at 12:30 PM at the terminal building to discuss future staffing needs and updates on the AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) and a lighting project. Quiet but important for keeping that airport functional.
Tourism & Welcome Center: The Tourism Commission meets Feb. 18 at 10 AM to discuss agreements with the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Viroqua Welcome Center.
Railroad Avenue right-of-way: The Council may vote to vacate (give up city ownership of) a portion of right-of-way on Railroad Avenue south of Arena Drive. This typically means an adjacent property owner wants to use or develop that strip of land.
One More Thing
The Historic Preservation Commission's agenda on February 9 is a love letter to Viroqua's past. Among the potential landmark properties they're tracking: the Gilman Bur Oak Tree, Clyde's Grocery Store (now Rhythm Bakery), a courthouse lynching tree site, Freddy Slack's house from 1875, and the wonderfully named Mr. G's/Old Opera House. Aaron Parker is working on a new plaque for that bur oak, and there's a recognition plaque in the works for Gigi Macasaet. If you love local history, this commission is quietly doing some of the most interesting work in city government.
The Viroqua Public Record is an independent community summary of public meetings. It is not affiliated with the City of Viroqua.