Cadott Village Board - Aid is down for library, appeal made for more funding

Samma Johnson, Cadott Community Library director, spoke to the Cadott Village Board Oct. 21, requesting they consider a greater contribution to their funding, as county aid is down this year, because of certain factors. Patronage is up and a new facility on the way will help, but for now, a little help is needed. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

It was only a few weeks ago, that Cadott learned a new library will be fully funded, through a grant, which was good news indeed, but at the Oct. 21 village board meeting, a plea for additional funding was issued.

“We took a knock to county income,” said library board member Diana Mackie.

That knock was a decrease of almost $8,400, which occurred once Cornell’s library joined the MORE consortium last year. Prior to that, people with Cornell addresses visited Cadott for that increased access, leading to less funding for Cadott.

“It’s great for our patrons, bad for our bottom line,” said library director Samma Johnson. “We’re also still recovering from COVID numbers.”

However, patronage is getting better, with Cadott’s circulation on track to be similar, if not higher than last year’s numbers. The decrease in funding does limit what activities Cadott can supply.

“Our budget this coming year, is not going to keep us on par with what we have been able to offer,” said Johnson.

Mackie says there are great things coming down the road, with the new building coming, but costs continue to rise, with three library employees, utilities, materials, programs, etc. So far this year, there have been 66 new patrons so far this year, or patrons whose card expired and needed a new one.

“We have new families in town who come in,” said Johnson.

It was agreed that the village will look at the library numbers during their budget workshops, to see if there’s any extra that could be directed toward the library.

“Everybody’s gonna have to pull the strings a bit,” said village president Randy Kuehni.

Also on the agenda, was approving Ordinance 2024-7, regarding the repeal of zoning statutory protest provisions. The ordinance previously authorized local governments to issue three-fourths vote by the governing body to approve a proposed zoning amendment, if a protest provision was filed.

“State law now prohibits a municipality from having such an ordinance,” said village clerk April Bruhn.

Members also approved Ordinance 2024-8, regarding residential housing permit approvals; Ordinance 2024-9, to amend zoning districts’ permitted uses, regarding EV chargers; Ordinance 2024-10, to amend the zoning code, regarding EV charger definitions; and Ordinance 2024-6, adopting the Comprehensive Plan 2010-30.

And since the village is keeping the electric utility, they agreed to move forward with a rate case study through the Public Service Commission (PSC), with Ehlers.

It was also agreed to go with an AEP 20th amendment, for electrical capacity. If the village had to buy on the open market, as opposed to the price offered by AEP, it would be a lot costlier.

“They agreed to let us back in, for the 1.6 percent that we were supposed to get before,” said trustee Todd Seeley.

Also approved, was the County Hwy. X project, from State Hwy. 27 east to the Sloviak property, with the estimate of $994,810. The project will be done in conjunction with the county’s work along there, which includes water, sewer and widening the road. Members agreed they can later add curb and gutter.

“We just want to get going forward with the first option,” said Seeley.

They also approved a Certified Survey Map for CB Investments, LLC, and a site plan for Cadott School, for the addition project in the works, as well as a preliminary Certified Survey Map for the school.

Members also approved the assessor’s contract for 2025, 2026 and 2027, with 2026 an exterior evaluation, with Bowmar Appraisal, Inc. The village needs to be reassessed to be in compliance with the Department of Revenue. The cost of doing so will be $18,300, spread out over three years, rather than just having the 2026 budget pick it up.

While not an action item, the board also discussed their A-1 agricultural district, as many residents wish to have a hobby farm, but there the zoning says they require 35 acres for a farm.

“What good really is that?” asked Josh Miller, Cedar Corp. “It’s almost a district without a home.”

Miller suggested that a Conditional Use Permit could be the way to go, instead of re-zoning, which would be valid until the owner sells the property.

“There are a lot of benefits to having agriculture near the village,” said Miller.