The Viroqua Public Record — Week of February 16, 2026
It's a busy week at City Hall!
The Viroqua Public Record
Week of February 17–18, 2026
The Big Takeaway
It's a busy week at City Hall with four meetings in two days, and the biggest items on the table are about money and growth. The Public Works Committee is moving forward on a USDA loan application for landfill financing — which could mean a public hearing at an upcoming City Council meeting — and the Viroqua Development Association is heading into closed session to discuss development proposals for the Hanson Farm property and the Business Park. If you care about where Viroqua grows next (and what it costs), these are the meetings to watch.
Money Watch
- The Public Works Committee will review and approve a USDA application for landfill financing and set a public hearing date before the full City Council. Details on the dollar amount aren't in the agenda, but USDA rural development loans are typically how small cities fund major infrastructure — so expect this to be a significant figure when the numbers come out.
- The VDA Treasurer's Report will cover current finances and bill payments for the development authority, which manages the Hanson Farm and Business Park properties.
- Behind closed doors, the Public Safety Committee will negotiate the fire contract with surrounding towns — the agreement that determines how much neighboring townships pay Viroqua for fire protection services. That contract directly affects the city's fire department budget.
Coming Up
The Public Works Committee plans to set a public hearing date at a future City Council meeting for the USDA landfill financing application. Watch for that date — it'll be your chance to ask questions about the project's cost and scope.
The Viroqua Fire Department Association is requesting a temporary beer license for their annual fundraiser. The Public Safety Committee votes on it Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 6:30 PM.
Next Tourism Commission meeting.
The Quick Rundown
Winter Parking Fines & Towing (Public Safety, Feb. 17): The committee will discuss new fines and towing options for cars left on the street during snow events. If you've ever been frustrated by plows having to navigate around parked cars — or worried about getting towed — this one's for you. Show up or tune in on Zoom.
Noxious Weed Ordinance (Public Safety, Feb. 17): Proposed amendments to the city's rules on noxious weeds (the ordinance that can require property owners to cut or remove certain invasive plants). No details yet on what's changing.
Police Department Year-End Report (Public Safety, Feb. 17): Chief will present the 2025 annual report — expect crime stats, call volumes, and department highlights from last year.
Garage Door Replacement (Public Works, Feb. 17 at 5 PM): The street shop needs a new garage door. Not glamorous, but it's your tax dollars keeping city trucks out of the weather.
Lincoln Street Lift Station Design (Public Works, Feb. 17): The committee will discuss design work for the Lincoln Street sewer lift station (the pump station that moves wastewater uphill through the system). This is early-stage infrastructure planning.
Brush & Compost Site Changes (Public Works, Feb. 17): Discussion on chipping brush and wood waste at the city's compost site, plus possible changes to how the site operates.
Viroqua Welcome Center (Tourism Commission, Feb. 18 at 10 AM): The commission will discuss agreements with the Chamber of Commerce regarding the Welcome Center. Chair Cyndy Hubbard leads the conversation.
Hanson Farm Development (VDA, Feb. 18 at 1:30 PM): Updates on infrastructure work at the Hanson Farm site, plus a closed session to discuss specific development proposals for multiple parcels there and at the Business Park. Chair Jacob Kanis presides.
One More Thing
Cyndy Hubbard is pulling double duty this week — she chairs the Public Works Committee at 5:00 PM on Tuesday and the Tourism Commission at 10:00 AM on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Seth McClurg and Andrew Bergum both sit on Public Works and Public Safety, meaning they've got back-to-back meetings Tuesday evening. Volunteer local government isn't for the faint of heart — or the short of patience.
All meetings are open to the public and available via Zoom. Links above. Got a tip or a question? This newsletter is for you.
The Viroqua Public Record is an independent community summary of public meetings. It is not affiliated with the City of Viroqua.