Green County Pulse

Author: GCPulseAdmin

  • Monroe Sets Deadline to Fill At-Large Council Seat After Mayoral Shift

    Monroe Sets Deadline to Fill At-Large Council Seat After Mayoral Shift

    The City of Monroe is moving forward with plans to fill a vacancy on its Common Council, setting a May 26 deadline for interested residents to submit nomination papers for the open at-large alderperson seat.

    The vacancy was created after former Alder Tom Miller was elected mayor, leaving the citywide position open.

    At its April 21 meeting, the Common Council outlined the process to appoint a replacement, encouraging eligible residents to step forward and serve. Candidates must gather at least 50 signatures from Monroe residents as part of the nomination process.

    City officials say the council will review all submitted materials and plans to vote on an appointment in June. The individual selected will serve the remainder of the current term, which runs through mid-April 2027.

    Those appointed will also have the option to run for a full term in the spring 2027 election, when the seat returns to the ballot for a citywide vote.

    Nomination papers are available through the City Clerk’s Office, with digital packets posted on the city’s website. Residents with questions can contact City Clerk Nikolai Wahl at City Hall.

    The at-large alderperson represents the entire city, making the role a key voice on issues affecting the broader Monroe community.

  • Green County Addresses Tax Impact as Jail Project Moves Ahead

    Green County Addresses Tax Impact as Jail Project Moves Ahead

    Green County officials are offering new details on the potential tax impact of a planned jail and law enforcement center as the project continues to move forward.

    The County Board of Supervisors previously approved borrowing up to $86.1 million for the project in June 2025. More recently, at its March meeting, the board authorized a contract with Kraemer Brothers to handle construction and project management, clearing the way for work to proceed.

    With the project advancing, county leaders say they’ve heard increasing questions from residents about how the debt will affect property taxes. In response, the county released a public statement outlining what is known and what remains uncertain.

    Officials emphasize that several variables will ultimately determine the impact on individual tax bills, including the final borrowing amount, interest rates, property values, and local and county mill rates. Ongoing efforts to secure grants could also reduce the amount of debt needed.

    Based on estimates presented to the County Board last June by PFM Financial Advisors, the county’s share of the mill rate could increase by about $1 once the full debt is reflected on tax bills in 2028. However, officials caution that figure may change as conditions evolve.

    County leaders say minimizing the financial impact on residents remains a top priority as the project progresses.

  • Green County Names First-Ever Administrator Following Board Approval

    Green County Names First-Ever Administrator Following Board Approval

    Green County has selected its first county administrator, with the County Board of Supervisors confirming Nicholas Owen to the newly created leadership role during its Feb. 10 meeting.

    The appointment marks a significant step in the county’s transition to a county administrator form of government, where the position will serve as the chief administrative officer overseeing day-to-day operations and implementing board policies.

    County Board Chairperson Jerry Guth announced the decision, noting Owen emerged from a competitive field of 39 applicants following what officials described as a thorough recruitment and assessment process. The search, led by the county’s Personnel and Labor Relations Committee, included interviews, stakeholder input, and a two-day final evaluation earlier this month.

    Owen brings more than 20 years of local government experience to the role. He has served as village administrator in Mount Horeb since 2015, managing a $27 million annual budget and overseeing major capital projects. Before that, he held the same position in New Glarus from 2006 to 2015.

    He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

    Guth said the board is confident Owen’s leadership style and experience align with the county’s priorities as it moves forward under the new structure.

    The administrator position was created as part of broader organizational changes aimed at strengthening coordination across departments and improving overall operations.

    Green County officials said Owen is expected to begin his new role later this spring, pending completion of standard pre-employment requirements.

  • Green County Sheriff’s Office – 1/31/2025

    The following events occurred on January 31, 2025:

    All person’s arrested or cited are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Operating While under the Influence
    At 6:45 PM, Deputies responded to the W5600 block of CTH C, in the Town of Washington, for a check welfare request on a motorist.  The investigation resulted in Charles D. Breunig, 47, of Darlington, being placed under arrest for Operating While under the Influence (5th offense with a passenger under 16).  Breunig was later incarcerated at the Green County Jail pending court. 

    Operating While under the Influence
    At 10:41 PM, Deputies conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding in the W5200 block of STH 11, in the Town of Monroe.  The investigation resulted in the driver, Rene Ivan Cruz Rios, 30, of Monroe, being placed under arrest for Operating While under the Influence and cited for Speeding.  Cruz Rios was later released to a responsible party pending court. 

    Patrol Sergeant Derek Whitcomb #10
    Green County Sheriff’s Office

  • Green County Sheriff’s Office 01/01/2025

    Green County Sheriff’s Office 01/01/2025

    The following events occurred on January 01, 2025:

    All persons arrested or cited are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

    Hit & Run – Unattended Vehicle:
    At 12:21 AM, Deputies were notified of a hit and run to a parked vehicle in the 300 block of Blaser Dr., in the Village of Belleville.  Deputies spoke with the owner who stated the vehicle was hit between 7:20 PM and 12:00 AM that night.  There was damage to the rear driver side panel of the car.  The investigation continues.  Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.

    Traffic Violation – No Valid DL:
    At 12:23 AM, Deputies stopped Sergio Perez Macias, 33, of South Beloit, for speeding in the W1800 block of STH 11, in the Town of Spring Grove.  The investigation resulted in Perez Macias being cited for Operating Without a valid Driver’s License and warned for speeding.  Perez Macias was released pending court. 

    Patrol Sgt. D. Jackson #7
    Green County Sheriff’s Office