The Village of Ellsworth will borrow up to $600,000 in the form of a State Trust Fund Loan for demolition of the old junior high, located at 254 S. Chestnut St.

Senior Municipal Advisor Sean Lentz of Ehlers presented information to the Ellsworth Village Board at the Nov. 6 meeting. The loan will be issued for a 20-year term and be paid by Tax Increment District 12 revenues. Lentz said State Trust Fund Loans are long-term, low-interest, fixed rate loans offered by the Commissioner of Public Lands.

“This allows the village to withdraw up to $600,000, but the amount could be less,” Lentz said. “The village will be able to draw those funds over the next four months after the loan is approved at the state to pay for the demolition. This also allows the village to have flexibility in deciding what to do with the property. Since we’re issuing it after Sept. 1, the first payment would be in 2025.”

The idea for a TID is for new tax revenue to be generated on that site. Because it’s in a TID, the village for up to 27 years can get all the tax revenue from a new building on the site.

“If TID 12 gets up and running and successfully generating revenue, the costs will not come out of the general fund,” Lentz said. “But it would be put on the tax roll and make the debt levy payments if necessary.”

The board will vote on the sale of the loan at a special meeting Nov. 27.

Winter parking regulations

Village President Becky Beissel said since she was elected, there have been a few people asking for winter parking regulations to be reviewed each year.

Currently, no one is allowed to park on any street or highway in the village between 2-6 a.m. from Nov. 1 to March 31. Alternatives that could be considered are odd-even parking or snow emergencies, Village Clerk/Administrator-Treasurer Brad Roy said.

“The issue that we really need to look into is the effect on snow removal and public works staffing, if there would be any additional costs, vehicle removal if they were in violation of this which ties into police staffing,” Roy said. “If there is a change, how do we communicate that so everyone knows.”

Trustee Tom Schutz suggested leaving it alone for this year but starting the discussion.
“They complain now if the streets don’t get plowed by noon,” Schutz said.

Trustee Ryan Bench suggested sending it the matter to the Streets & Sidewalks Committee but getting public works and the police department involved.

Other business

• Eric Van Nocker was sworn in Nov. 13 as the new police sergeant. He previously worked as an investigator for Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.
• Asbestos abatement has started on the old junior high, with demolition expected to begin Jan. 1.