ELLSWORTH — The Ellsworth Village Board took on sewer rates, the resignation of Trustee Tom Schutz and the approval of the Outdoor Recreation Plan during Monday’s first meeting of the new year.
Due to a “shortfall” in current sewer rates, the board approved an increase of 30.6% to rates. The average resident would see an increase from $40.71 per month to $45.97 per month for a 12.9% increase. New rates will be implemented after the first quarter reading, kicking off at the end of March.
Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy said the larger users pay a higher fee, making up for the lower percentages of the average resident.
Separately, the board approved the repealing and recreation of ordinances surrounding wastewater collection and treatment and created sewer use and user charges.
“The one that’s come up is high chlorides discharging into the sewer and our current ordinance didn’t really give us enough enforcement to really go after them,” Roy said.

When issues did come up, Roy said the DNR fines the village and the village did not have structures in place to then enforce it upon the people in violation.
Trustee Tony Hines asked what the village does about people that camp in the summer and return to dump RV sewage at the county dump station at the fairgrounds.

Roy said there is a special fee outlined in the ordinance for that scenario, but Hines questioned if the village is keeping track of everyone that dumps into it. Roy also mentioned this ordinance would protect the village and they can investigate the topic further after the approval.

Tom Schutz resignation
The board recognized the resignation of Trustee Schutz after the village announced they received his resignation Dec. 19.

Schutz was vocal on Facebook about his reasons for departure including transparency with meetings behind closed doors and village spending habits.

Hines took issue with the way Schutz resigned, calling the way he did “unprofessional.”

“I think it was unprofessional what Tom did after he resigned, running the board down,” Hines said. “I don’t think there was any sense to that at all.”

Due to the proximity to the coming election, the board opted to leave the seat open for it and reevaluate after the election if necessary. Committees will be restructured soon where needed.

Outdoor Recreation Plan
The Ellsworth Outdoor Recreation Plan saw approval from the village board after going through the draft process, committee meetings and public hearings dating all the way back to the summer.

A primary portion of the plan are the goals the village wants to establish. The goals are not necessarily things the village has to do, but rather point them in a direction if an opportunity is presented.

The goals of the plan are: continue to maintain the village’s outdoor park and recreation facilities, protect and enhance the unique natural resources within the village, use the village’s resources efficiently and enhance funding opportunities for park and recreational needs of the village, provide and improve public access to outdoor recreation land and water, promote recreation to better public health and wellness, upgrade and diversify recreation facilities, create versatile community spaces and enhance awareness and utilization of recreation resources.

Other business

• The board had a Kwik Trip purchase offer in Crossing Meadows, a 254 S. Chestnut St. Developer’s Agreement, Summit Park and Crossing Meadows Business Park Lot 9 all on the closed session agenda, but no action was taken after reconvening.
• Approved 2025 street micro-surfacing advertisement for bids. The village budget is $71,000 for the project and includes Industrial Road as well as a handful of streets south of Main Street across from the courthouse.
• Agreed to put out an RFP to have one consultant consult for all the village’s engineering operations. Roy said all the engineering consultants the village currently works with said they were interested in making a proposal.
• Approved installation of automatic door openers for the Ellsworth Public Library.
• Approved a Class B Alcohol Beverage License application for Just Ka’s Cocktails and Cuisine.