Elsie village council approves $57,191 in bills, holds off on fire authority deal

The Elsie Village Council approved payment of $57,191.44 in bills at its July 14 meeting, according to the meeting minutes signed by Clerk/Treasurer Kelsey Kelly and Village President Jason Freeman. Council Member Todd Carroll moved to approve the payment and Kory Witt seconded. The minutes record only that the motion carried and do not list a vote tally.

All six council members were recorded present: Dorothy Ornelas, Mark Helt, Sam Frink, Joe Ondrusek, Todd Carroll and Kory Witt, along with President Freeman. Village Manager/Police Chief Destinee Bryce, DPW Supervisor Chris Ormes and Kelly attended as staff. Freeman called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

Fire authority agreement on hold

The minutes state that the village attorney reviewed the proposed Fire Board/Fire Authority Agreement and recommended no action until the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws are provided for review. The council approved the president's report containing that recommendation on a motion by Carroll, seconded by Helt.

Review and approval of the June 9 meeting minutes were postponed until the August council meeting.

Taxes, hydrants and park work

Village tax bills were mailed July 1 and are due Sept. 14, 2026, according to the clerk/treasurer's report. A BS&A tax payment link is available on the Elsie.org website. Utility bills are due 21 days after the billing date, and all 2025 delinquent utility balances have been added to village tax bills. The report also noted nine pavilion reservations for 2026.

The village manager reported that fire hydrants were received July 13 and installation is scheduled for the third week of August. The June 26 large item pickup collected approximately 128 cubic yards of material. McKearney Asphalt is expected to begin the park pathway project soon, and grant opportunities continue to be pursued, including for Elsie Park. MEDC and LEAP continue to await funding approval for the Elsie School Project.

The DPW report said all lift stations and wells are operating properly, approximately 98 water meter upgrades remain, and work continues on the Elsie Park water lines. A trailer was purchased through the BNM grant for a new mini excavator. One June burial brought the 2026 cemetery total to nine.

The police and code enforcement report listed 61 calls for service in June, 11 traffic stops and 189 hours worked. Activity included traffic enforcement, ordinance enforcement, suspicious activity checks, one animal bite complaint and community policing. Night patrol has increased, Patrol Car 82 received minor electrical repairs, and four certified code enforcement letters were sent. A LEIN audit is scheduled for late August or early September.

At Hero's Park, Ornelas reported all flags have been replaced except the American flag, which was donated by Ed White, and that 94 bricks have been purchased and are expected before the next meeting. Donations are still needed for the remaining statues. The manager's report said Jim Hyland expressed interest in finishing the set of statues but is concerned with the cost and with transporting them from Wisconsin. At Elsie Park, White reported donated sports balls and a storage bin have been placed at the courts and new pickleball and tennis nets have been installed.

Public comment

A Duplain Township resident announced a July 21 deadline of 4 p.m. for ballot applications and requested the temporary closure of N. Church Street on Aug. 4 for National Night Out. The minutes also note that the United Methodist Church will repaint the playground at N. Church and W. Pine streets. An Elsie resident asked what will be done with the existing fire hydrants after they are replaced.

What happens next

The council voted to schedule an Ordinance Committee meeting for Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6:30 p.m., on a motion by Ornelas seconded by Witt. The June 9 minutes are set to return for approval at the August council meeting. Hydrant installation is scheduled for the third week of August. Helt moved to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.; Witt seconded.