Roll Call – Chairperson Marc Couey, Supervisor Joe Halverson, Supervisor Don Stanke, Clerk Diane Parduhn, Treasure Denise Ewing, and Randy Olson.
Agenda Properly Noticed – Clerk Diane Parduhn reported that the meeting was properly noticed 07/15/2025.
Approve the Agenda – Chairperson Marc Couey read the agenda as printed. Motion to approve the agenda as read was made by Supervisor Don Stanke, seconded by Supervisor Joe Halverson. Motion carried.
Approval of June Minutes – Chairperson Marc Couey asked if there were any changes or additions to the minutes for the June reg meeting. Hearing none, Chairperson Marc Couey approved the minutes as presented.
Treasurers Report – Treasurer Denise Ewing reported that the balance in the Town of Orion Checking account on June 30, 2025, was $205,270.42 per the bank statement. A total of $25,988.47 for five checks issued were outstanding as of June 30, 2025, making the actual balance in the Town of Orion Checking account $179,281.95. The CD at Westby Co-op is $47,361.19 which includes second quarter interest of $551.01. Supervisor Don Stanke made a motion to approve the Treasurers report as presented, seconded by Supervisor Joe Halverson. Motion Carried. Treasurer Denise D Ewing requested that the board approve the cost of Quick Books for the Treasurers record keeping. It was explained that the Treasurer is required to keep her own record of expenses and revenue and meet at least monthly with the Clerk to review each other’s records for errors.
Clerks Report – Clerk Diane Parduhn reported: There was a new notice of Equalized Value change from DOR related to the error in 2023. Diane reported speaking with DOR who explained that we were double paid for the over evaluation, and an adjustment would need to be made to recoup any extra funds received because of the error and correction made between 2024 and 2025. This change will be applied to the 2026 budget so the amount will not be known until we get more clarification later in 2025. Training for WisVote has been completed and Diane can use it now. WisTas entries have begun, and I have been working with Cheryl Dull to make changes to the program. Diane reported needing to get permission to have access to electronic banking at the Peoples Community bank because she cannot wait until Tuesday before a meeting to process her report for the Board. The access will allow her to print the bank statement earlier than the day before the meeting. The board agreed and signed the letter providing permission for her to have access. The bridge report provided by Wesbrook was shared with the board. No work is required on either bridge, Meadowood Ln over Ash Creek, or Twin Bluff Rd over Pine River. The monthly report was shared so the board could review the budget. Notice was made that the road construction budget was close to spent for the year after the cost of seal coating done in July is added.
Approve Bills – Chairperson Marc Couey read the July bills presented for approval totaling $78,060.95. Supervisor Joe Halverson made a motion to approve the payment of the bills totaling $78,060.95 using checks #2103 – #2118, seconded by Supervisor Don Stanke. Motion carried.
Roads Report – Randy Olson reported that when Sawmill Rd was seal coated, he also had the deck on the bridge seal coated as advised. He also noted that the seal coating was completed for this year. He mentioned the number of trees that are falling over this year pointing out River View and Bogus Valley as having a number of trees down.
Fire Districts –
- Muscoda – The meeting has been scheduled for the end of the month.
- Richland Rural – Joe shared his report from the last meeting, no fire calls for Orion.
- Richland Ambulance – A meeting was held, the MOU ends, negotiations continue.
Other Business:
Old Town Hall Bids – No new bids or inquiries were received. Randy is going to check on the cost of a building inspection to see if the building can be burned.
Assessor Bid – Do we bid out the Assessor for next year(s) – The clerk provided the board with a copy of the contract sent by Worth Services for signature. The contract has a significant increase in the cost and additional charges for attending more than one two-hour period of Open Book and more than One BOR meeting per year. The clerk will survey other towns to see who they use and gather some information for the board. She will also look for sample contracts for assessors. She will schedule a special meeting regarding the Assessor after information is gathered so the board can look at options.
NEXT REG MEETING – Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 5:00
Special Meeting – To Be Determined based on information received from Assessors.
AGENDA ITEMS/INPUT –None
MOTION TO ADJOURN – Motion made by Supervisor Don Stanke, seconded by Chair Marc Couey. Motion carried.