PRESCOTT – The June 12 Prescott City Council meeting was short and to the point with a mish mash of business Monday evening after Mayor Rob Daughtery took roll call with all present except Alderperson John Peterson.

After a succinct discussion over the finishing time for the businesses requesting amplifier permits, City Administrator Matt Wolf reminded the council that city code extends to midnight; Alderperson Darlyn Hintz recommended reminding businesses of the time limit so there is no future confusion. The board approved the permits unanimously, including Peterson, who arrived late.

The council approved a resolution to pursue a cost-share grant from the Department of Natural Resources for St. Croix Bluffs Park with the hope to receive funds for the second phase of Fairy Wonderland Park.

 “It’s so cute. Very sweet,” Alderperson Maureen Otwell said, commenting that she walked through the first installation of the park. 

On Oct. 15, 2021, the Prescott City Council requested a complete revision of Chapter 635 zoning. Beginning in September 2022, city staff worked with Cedar Corporation to develop changes for the Plan Commission to discuss per the recommendation of the Plan Commission. For the past six months they have been reviewing and finalizing changes and now with the work nearing completion, the Plan Commission is asking City Council to review any further changes and grant approval to hold a public hearing on Aug. 7, 2023. Letters will then be sent to all C2 districts so they will be aware of all changes made and to R-1 property owners in the St. Croix Bluffs, Pineridge, and Great Rivers subdivisions who will be changed to R-4.

“Thank you, Plan Commission, Matt and Carter, because this is something that has been long overdue, and the amount of work put into this is unbelievable. It will be incredibly helpful in the future,” Hintz remarked.

“Thanks for all your hard work,” Daughtery said.

The council approved the public hearing request incorporating any final changes as requested.

Market values

Wolf then presented the council with the interim market value update for the City of Prescott.

“Wisconsin state law does require that all taxing districts maintain assessments within 10% of the state’s fair market value, so as part of that right now, all major classes need to be within 90% to 110% of full value,” Wolf explained.

With city residential properties at 68.7% of market values, a complete assessment of market value needs to be updated this year. As a result, Accurate Assessors will be going out and reassessing properties and their values with letters going out to property owners in the coming months. According to the Wisconsin Realtors Association, median property values in Pierce County have increased by 45% from 2017 to 2022.

Council members then watched a video from Accurate Assessors highlighting the job duties of assessors. It explained they don’t determine the taxes people pay, but only the values of properties. It was further said that assessed values do not increase or decrease taxes, but rather taxes are determined by total tax levy and improvements to a property. If residents are concerned that tax rates will be increasing for 2024, they will have to wait to find out as taxing levies and budgets have not yet been set.

A council discussion arose surrounding a question from Alderperson Pat Knox, who informed members that the state allows each city to have a certain amount of Class B liquor licenses (bars, restaurants, etc.) which is dependent on the population of the city.  Class A liquor licenses are determined by the city on how many they choose to issue.

Other business

• The Law Enforcement Officer Reimbursement Agreement between the City of Prescott and Jacob Weisbrook was approved.
• The Locust Street project is moving up in terms of the schedule. More information is posted on the city’s Facebook page in addition to letters delivered to residents.
• Amplifier permits were approved and issued for Lucille’s and No Name Saloon with the time limit of midnight.
• The Plan Commission’s July meeting has been canceled with the next meeting scheduled for August.
• Pickleball courts are on their way as the Monarch Paving Company’s asphalt bid of $15,487.58 was approved by the council for 2023 pickleball court construction, with the hope for paving to be done in the last week of June.