Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Caledonia Finance Officer Stephanie Mann attended the November 24, 2025, Caledonia City Council meeting to review the proposed 2026 budget as the deadline to set the levy approaches. Currently, the tax levy is set at 12%, with hopes of lowering it, but Mann said she does not see any way to do so. She asked council members if they saw any options to let her know. The levy will be set in December.
Mayor Jeremy Leis called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Members present included Bob Klug, Amanda Ninneman, David Fitzpatrick and John Rauk. Staff members in attendance included City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson and Finance Officer Stephanie Mann.
The revised meeting agenda and the minutes from the November 10 regular city council meeting were approved. The unanimously approved consent agenda included payments and disbursements, a commercial solar application at 225 S. Kingston Street, a commercial solar application at 515 Old Highway Drive, sign permits at 129 S. Marshall Street and 921 Industry Road, a salvage yard permit at 806 W. Main Street, and a petition and waiver for 927 E. Grove Street.
Business owner Tracey Knutson attended to ask Jake Dickson questions about the DeWitt Building. Dickson replied that there had been one state inspection, that he was part of, and that he learned a lot. He also shared that the city is pushing for a second, more thorough inspection with a different level of government. Since he was unable to say much, Knutson asked Dickson if he felt good about the report, Dickson replied, “Yes.”
Dickson announced that the city is hosting a town hall healthcare meeting on December 2 at 6 p.m. Every healthcare provider in town has been invited. Representatives from Emplify Health (Gundersen) and Mayo Clinic have confirmed they will attend, as will Tri-State Ambulance.
Dickson provided updates to the council on several ongoing projects and initiatives. These included the progress on the Winnebago Street project and the waste water treatment plant. He mentioned that he attended last week’s MariBell Transmission project open house. He also reported on the success of the Light of Caledonia community event and shopping promotion, discussed the THC ban and announced plans to submit a grant application that would fund 135 hours of technical assistance for a grant writer.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the street closure for the upcoming Winter Parade on December 5. The parade route is Pine to Grant to Main to Kingston and ends at the Merchant’s parking lot.
- Approved a street vacation at 504 N. Decorah.
- Reviewed the overtime report for the pay period from October 27 through November 9.
There being no new business, the mayor noted that city hall would be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The mayor then called to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m.
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