Merrill committees advance 2027 budget items; Police and Fire Commission promotes officer to Patrol Lieutenant
Merrill's city committees spent the last two weeks moving pieces of the 2027 budget forward, with the Personnel and Finance Committee approving preliminary personnel and ambulance budgets and the Board of Public Works forwarding capital project requests for water, sewer, and street departments. The Police and Fire Commission also approved a promotion and an eligibility list.
Police and Fire Commission
On July 21, the Police and Fire Commission approved the promotion of Officer Jonathan Sass to Patrol Lieutenant and approved the police department eligibility list. The commission also determined that a citizen complaint regarding the Merrill Police Department was outside its authority.
Personnel and Finance Committee
On July 28, the committee approved the 2027 Ambulance/EMS budget submission to Lincoln County and approved the 2027 preliminary personnel/payroll budget, which includes a 2.5% cost of living adjustment. The committee also approved continuing grant applications for four Merrill Fire Department staff members and reduced the T.B. Scott Library computer contingency fund to $5,000. Vouchers were approved, and June 23rd meeting minutes and monthly reports were placed on file.
Board of Public Works
On July 29, the Board of Public Works reviewed and forwarded 2027 capital project requests for the water, sewer, and street departments to the budget meeting. The board approved Water & Sewer vouchers and Street Department vouchers.
The board also approved three land and right-of-way vacations and forwarded them to City Plan: an alley vacation north of lots 13 and 14 of block 3 of VR Willards addition; a right of way vacation at the south-west corner of G.R. Sturdevant's addition (Logan Ave); and a land vacation in Mary Poor's addition, by S Nast St and Logan Ave. June 24th minutes and monthly reports were placed on file.
Health and Safety Committee
On July 27, the committee approved a change of agent to Allen Kuehl for Kwik Trip, Store 386, 2311 E Main Street. The committee approved vouchers, placed June 22nd meeting minutes on file, and placed monthly reports from the Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Lincoln County Humane Society on file.
Transit Commission
The Merrill Transit Commission met July 20 to discuss veterans rides, magnets, and bus configuration and seating. No decisions are specified in the available agenda; minutes have not yet been published.
Coming up
- **Aug. 4 — Library Board (special meeting):** Will act on the revised 2027 Library Budget Appropriation Request.
- **Aug. 4 — Zoning Board of Appeals:** Public hearing for Benjamin Cadwallader at 800 E 6th Street regarding a minimum rear yard setback variance under M.M.C. Sec. 113-38.
- **Aug. 4 — City Plan Commission:** Will consider three land and alley vacations forwarded by the Board of Public Works, including the alley on the 500 block of Blaine Street, the right of way at the south-west corner of G.R. Sturdevant's addition (Logan Ave), and land in Mary Poor's addition by S. Nast St and Logan Ave.
- **Aug. 5 — Parks and Recreation Commission:** Will review June and July 2026 claims, discuss the Recreation Manager position, and consider 2027 capital requests.