(Juneau) The Dodge County Board’s Executive Committee discussed a possible rule change in board police yesterday. As proposed, supervisors would be required to submit amendments to the budget 14 calendar days prior to budget adoption in November. Day-of amendments would be allowed with two-thirds majority support. Supporters say the proposal would allow for adequate time to research budget changes while critics say called it micromanagement. The two-thirds majority idea was scrapped following committee discussion and the 14-day mandate was changed from being a requirement to being “encouraged.” The county board is expected to vote on the proposal during their meeting in March.
(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council last (Monday) night filled an important administrative vacancy. Zachary Bloom was hired as Director of Administration and City Clerk. Bloom replaces Jeff Wiswell, who spent six months in Beaver Dam, resigning in October following the discovery of an error that cost the city $330-thousand dollars. John Somers had been serving in an interim role, having previously spent 23 years with the city before his retirement last April. Bloom spent 12 years in finance and utilities with the city of Waupun and spent the past five years as a public account for a private CPA firm. He will receive an annual salary of $130-thousand dollars plus benefits.
(Beaver Dam) For the first time ever, the Beaver Dam Common Council will not be holding a meeting on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Alderwoman Jaci (jack-ee) Shelton made the motion at the conclusion of last (Monday) night’s meeting. Shelton noted that it is both a state and federal holiday. The city had never observed the holiday in the past though it was mentioned that meetings may have been cancelled on the third Monday of January because of severe weather. Alderman Mick Fischer voted against the motion.
(Beaver Dam) Beaver Dam Common Council last (Monday) night approved a change to their meeting time. The council has been meeting at 8pm but, starting next month, the gavel will fall at 7:30pm. Committee meeting will start at 6:30pm or 7pm, depending on the number of items on their respective agendas.
(Fort Atkinson) A tax preparer from Jefferson County was sentenced to two years in prison for stealing tax refunds from customers. David Zehnder, who operated A-Z Productivity, prepared and filed at least 83 fraudulent federal and state income tax returns from 2013 to 2017. Zehnder also stole or attempted to steal $32,312 worth of costumers’ refunds by diverting a portion of their tax refunds into his accounts. During sentencing, prosecutors said he used the ill-gotten money on drugs and prostitutes. Zehnder was also ordered to pay over $130-thousand dollars in restitution.
(Beaver Dam) Cash bond was set at $25,000 yesterday for a Beaver Dam man charged with his ninth OWI offense. David Stroede was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he was pulled over last Friday night by Beaver Dam police. The 62-year-old reportedly only admitted to drinking a 12 ounce beer. He reportedly blew a point-zero-five-three (.053). Stroede has OWI offenses dating back to 1992 and as recent as 2008. If convicted, Stroede faces up to 12-and-a-half years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this month.
