Nov. 30, 2025
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — This week brought sharp focus onto Viroqua’s municipal finances, environmental compliance, transportation costs, and public safety alerts, as local government bodies finalized their 2026 budgets and addressed critical infrastructure issues.
Key local stories published this week. Click on the link to read the whole story.
Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for the week ending Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
The Vernon County Sheriff’s report documented a variety of law enforcement activities, including traffic enforcement where a juvenile driver was cited for speeding 85 mph in a 55 mph zone, and responses to property issues such as reports of loose cattle and incessant dog barking. Deputies also investigated incidents of trespassing near Coon Valley and Reads Creek, resulting in one male being identified and cited for repeated offenses. Of particular note were cases involving modern technology: the Sheriff’s Office investigated threats made via Snapchat, TikTok, and phone regarding a previous money exchange, and provided counseling to a victim of sextortion who was advised to block all communication with the online offender.
City of Viroqua set to approve 2026 budget (budget preview)
The Viroqua Common Council was set to vote on adopting its proposed 2026 budget, which includes a property tax levy of $2,945,968. City staff navigated state-imposed levy limits by implementing a strategy focused on keeping recurring costs tied to recurring revenue and using one-time funds for one-time needs. The budget prioritized increasing staff wages across all departments, including the Library, Fire, and Police, totaling an increase of $194,781 in the overall wage budget, driven by the goal to improve staff retention and competitiveness. To fund these necessary increases while staying within limits, the city relied on external financing, borrowing $3,765,000 for infrastructure in the new Hansen Farm development, and proposed internal departmental cuts, most notably the elimination of the Second Shift Police Dispatch Position.
The budget is significant to Viroqua residents as it directs how essential services will be maintained amidst tight fiscal constraints. While the city mill rate is projected to decrease, the actual tax bill for homeowners whose assessed property value increased significantly—matching the overall county-wide valuation growth—could still rise, illustrating the complexity of local finance. The cuts, such as the dispatch position elimination, generated tension because that position currently provides essential non-emergency services (like handling DMV and open records requests) during evening hours for citizens who work late.
City of Viroqua continues methane abatement project at old city dump with mixed results
The City of Viroqua provided an update on its multi-phase methane gas abatement project at the old municipal landfill, an effort mandated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) due to high gas readings exceeding the lower explosive limit of 5% methane. Methane migration beyond the property boundary was confirmed, with readings detected as high as 20.5%. Phase one involved installing a new passive venting system, but City Engineer Sarah Grainger reported “wildly inconsistent” results due to atmospheric pressure and weather fluctuations, describing the landfill as “breathing in and out”. The City Council approved spending approximately $88,000 to install additional gas probes to determine the full extent of the gas migration.
This remediation project is critical for public safety and environmental health near Viroqua’s south side developments, which are adjacent to the capped “town dump”. The project is projected to cost between $450,000 and $750,000, funded partly by approximately $700,000 earmarked from city debt. Furthermore, the DNR requires the city to continue meticulous gas monitoring indefinitely, likely quarterly for the first couple of years, ensuring a continuous financial obligation for Viroqua taxpayers well into the future.
The Driftless Humane Society is opening a new surgery suite to boost rural veterinary resilience
The Driftless Humane Society (DHS) in Viroqua has opened a new rural regional low-cost spay/neuter surgery suite within its facility, a project aiming to maximize impact through high-volume services. This facility addresses the high cost and access barriers to veterinary care faced by rural animal shelters and is supported by a grant from the ASPCA and local donations. The suite currently operates monthly, utilizing staff who travel from the Dane County Humane Society to perform 16 to 20 spay/neuters on shelter felines in a single day, including pediatric surgeries. DHS is currently fundraising for Phase 2, which involves purchasing essential equipment and hiring a part-time surgery coordinator.
The surgery suite is vital for Vernon County and southwestern Wisconsin as it provides affordable, timely veterinary care during a national shortage of veterinary services. By partnering with other organizations, the suite helps reduce costs and overcrowding, specifically stabilizing the homeless cat population by altering kittens early, allowing more animals to find homes quicker.
The Viroqua Common Council was set to vote on adopting its proposed 2026 budget, featuring a property tax levy of $2,945,968, on Tuesday, November 25. The administration described the budget process as “incredibly challenging” due to operating right up against state-imposed levy limits. The administration’s primary goal was to improve the “competitiveness of wages across the City,” resulting in an overall wage budget increase of $194,781 across all departments. To fund these necessary salary increases while adhering to the levy ceiling, the city had to implement internal departmental cuts. The most scrutinized of these cuts was the proposed elimination of the Second Shift Police Dispatch Position by February 2026. Despite the complexity and cuts, the city’s mill rate was projected to drop from $7.344 to $6.415 per $1,000 of equalized value because Viroqua’s total equalized value increased by 13.11%.
The budget incorporated external debt financing for capital expenses, including the approval to borrow $3,765,000 through a State Trust Fund Loan to cover infrastructure costs related to the new Hansen Farm development. Additionally, as part of the November 25 budget process, the city approved a second set of fare increases within a year for the shared-ride taxi service that serves Viroqua and Westby. These adjustments included raising the Senior/Disabled fare from $2.50 to $3.00 and the agency fee from $8.00 to $12.00. The increases were necessary to minimize the local funding share of the state Department of Transportation program and balance the General Fund budget. Furthermore, the city approved spending approximately $88,000 to install additional gas probes as part of the ongoing DNR-mandated methane gas abatement project at the old municipal landfill to determine the full extent of gas migration.
Western Wisconsin braces for heavy snow starting Saturday (Nov. 29)
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for Vernon County and surrounding areas, effective from early Saturday morning through Sunday morning. Forecasters predicted substantial snowfall ranging from 6 to 10 inches, with rates potentially reaching one inch per hour, which was expected to make travel “very difficult to impossible”. Vernon County Emergency Management officials urged residents to prepare for slick roads, possible power outages due to heavy, wet snow, and advised delaying travel if not absolutely necessary.
This is critical local news as the expected 6 to 10 inches of snow significantly surpasses the county’s average November snowfall of 3 to 5 inches, posing substantial risks to life, travel, and infrastructure.
Shared ride taxi rates for Viroqua and Westby increased as part of budget process
The City of Viroqua, which administers the shared-ride taxi service for Viroqua and Westby, approved a second set of fare increases within the span of a year as part of its 2026 budget process. Rates for adult, student, and senior/disabled riders were increased (e.g., senior/disabled fare rose to $3.00), and the agency fee was raised from $8.00 to $12.00 following negotiations with Westby to manage their local share under levy limits. These rate adjustments were necessary to adhere to the city’s strict levy limit ceiling, resulting in a projected 22.34% increase in annual passenger revenue for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) program.
The shared-ride taxi service is a crucial transportation option, subsidized by state and federal grants, intended to assist seniors and those with disabilities in Viroqua and Westby. The successive rate hikes, however, directly impact the most transportation-dependent and vulnerable residents in both communities, underscoring the tough choices local governments must make to sustain essential services when faced with fixed revenues and rising costs.
Vernon County man accused of setting neighbors mobile home ablaze
A rural Vernon County man, Ora H. Wallace, 67, was arrested on suspicion of arson after authorities allege he intentionally set a mobile home on fire along County Road SS in the Town of Liberty on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, 2025. Fire crews from Viola, Viroqua, and Readstown responded to the blaze, which broke out around 3:30 p.m., but the mobile home was fully engulfed and deemed a total loss. The family living there was in the process of moving out and was not home at the time of the fire, resulting in no injuries. Investigators quickly determined the fire was intentionally set, and deputies arrested Wallace, who lives across the road from the burned home. Wallace was booked into the Vernon County Detention Center and is expected to appear in court, with formal charges of arson to be sought by the District Attorney. Sheriff Roy Torgerson expressed gratitude that no one was hurt, thanking the emergency service volunteers who responded on the holiday.
City of Viroqua approves outdoor recreation and historic preservation plans
The Viroqua City Council formally approved two key planning documents—the Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (CORP) and the Historic Preservation Plan (HPP)—on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, which together provide a clear framework for managing the city’s parks, cultural assets, and future development over the next five to ten years. This coordinated process was crucial for maintaining Viroqua’s eligibility for state and federal grant funding, as the five-year CORP is required for recreation grants, and the HPP is necessary for the city to keep its Certified Local Government (CLG) status and apply for annual preservation grants. The plans were developed concurrently with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, utilizing extensive data gathering, including an online community survey that received 316 responses.
The HPP is a 10-year plan focusing on integrating preservation into Viroqua’s economic and cultural life. It documents 33 locally designated historic landmarks and a downtown National Register Historic District. A central goal is maintenance and reuse, viewing preservation as an economic development tool. Key actions include commissioning a citywide survey to identify structures over 45 years old, exploring a demolition delay ordinance, creating ordinances to fine owners who fail to stabilize decaying properties, and leveraging historic assets for heritage tourism. Meanwhile, the five-year CORP determined that Viroqua is relatively “Park rich,” exceeding national recommendations with 13 parks totaling 110 acres. Therefore, the plan’s core conclusion is to prioritize repair, maintenance, and retrofitting existing facilities rather than acquiring new land. The CORP sets goals to improve recreation opportunities, enhance park sustainability through native plantings, and ensure safety and inclusion, including conducting a site analysis for a potential splash pad facility. The plan also suggests possibly considering a referendum to increase funding for park-related capital improvements and maintenance.
Our local coverage ensures Vernon County residents are informed about the resource management, legal mandates, and community development efforts that define their daily lives and future fiscal outlook. Communities cannot make informed decisions without good information. We need your help to continue bringing you important local information. Hit the donate button on the sidebar or at the bottom of the page to help us cover even more.
Thank you for your support!
Add comment