The Withee Village Board held their regular meeting on Monday, December 9.

Kianna Lindh was present from MSA Professional Services to go over the cash flow analysis for TID #2. She said she tried to be conservative with the numbers, but felt that the TID could sustain incentives for Midway Steel’s expansion. The addition is expected to be completed by 2025 and will be assessed in 2026 for the taxes collected in January 2027. The incentive will be a rebate on taxes in the amount of $8,400 per year for six years, starting in 2027. The village is expected to apply for the two 3-year extensions that they are eligible for and the TID balance should be positive before it is closed out. The Developer’s Agreement will be finalized in the next couple of months. The incentive was approved contingent upon completion of the building. This had to be done before December 17, 2024 as that is the last date that new expenditures are allowed in TID #2.

Nichole Hougard and Linda Barna were appointed to the Library Board to replace Nancy Amacher and Alicia Wilson.

Under the Police Report, the Village Board approved the hiring of Officer Jason Scheffler and payment of the bills. President Everett Lindgren said that Jason had passed all his requirements and started December 1. Trustee Randy Shelton reported on a couple of items discussed at the Police Committee meeting, including how calls are down this year, vehicle repairs and that K9 Jimi was recertified and is doing well. The Chief is looking for another squad car. If he finds one, there will be a special meeting, otherwise they won’t meet again until March.

Under the Public Works Report, DPW Derek Schad asked if he could use the $365.80 they received from selling scrap metal for some repairs at the shop, including new molding around the doors. The board approved this use of funds. New sewer rates, effective January 1 were approved. The new rate will be $11.15 per thousand gallons of use plus a user fee of $3.04. The meter charge remains at $9.65. This is an increase of $1.08 per month for a residence that uses 3,000 gallons. Schad got a quote from B&M Technical Service, Inc. for a new variable frequency drive. This drive runs the high service pumps. There was a question about the warranty which Schad will check on. Lindgren said it needs to be done to keep the water plant running. The estimated cost for the drive and installation is $6,007. The purchase was approved. Quotes were also received for the engineering for replacement of the chemical pumps. The quote from Cedar Corporation was not to exceed $4,000. The quote from SEH was for $5,500. The services that will be provided are figuring dosages, the size of the pumps needed, and dealing with the DNR. The village should have an answer from the DNR early next year. The quote from SEH was approved. Even though it is a little higher, they did the original design for the plant and are familiar with how it works.

The board approved spending the money budgeted for the Economic Development Loan to help pay for preparation of a Developer’s Agreement with Midway Steel/Pat Esker. An operators license was approved for Kristine Kodl. Employee Christmas gifts will be the same as last year, $50 for full-time employees and $25 for part-time employees. The 2025 wage and benefit schedule was also approved.