Fitchburg Finance Committee Approves Radio Contracts, Well Land Purchase, and Station Renovations

FITCHBURG -- January 26, 2021, Fitchburg Finance Committee cleared 17 resolutions at its January 26 meeting, covering public safety radio contracts, fire station renovations, water infrastructure, and a COVID-driven budget adjustment. Finance Director Misty reported that three certificates of deposit had matured and been reinvested at lower rates, and that final 2020 financial numbers will not be released until mid-March, when auditors arrive. The committee unanimously approved three Dane County radio system contracts, including a roughly $79,000 annual enhancement payment that covers antenna infrastructure in Fitchburg used by neighboring municipalities at no cost to them; Police Chief Polkmarker confirmed the city is in active talks with the county to revisit that arrangement. The committee also approved a $50,000 land purchase from Stoner Prairie HDP for future municipal Well No. 12, funded by water impact fees, and accepted Phase 2 bids for Fire Station 1 renovations including electrical work, garage door replacement, and a painting contract that came in at $5,800 against a $10,000 estimate. A budget amendment deferring one recreation vehicle purchase was approved to close an $18,000 COVID-related revenue gap in recreational programming.