<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0VNS0Z_0qbzTcaO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0VNS0Z_0qbzTcaO00" width="1763" height="1175" > As a new year dawns, the Village of Waunakee has changes planned within the internal organization, and the public will see new parks and faces, too. With all the transitions, Waunakee Village Administrator Todd Schmidt describes several moving parts. New staff will come on board and new software programs are now being implemented. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The current staff members are also adjusting to new furniture as they return to remodeled workspaces after several months of construction at village hall. In fact, the community overall will see changes, including a new school district superintendent in the fall. The Waunakee Neighborhood Connection and Food Pantry are both still settling into their new home in the former Waunakee Public Library on South Street, Schmidt pointed out. “Adding all that up, to me, feels like shaking a snow globe,” Schmidt said. In the year to come he sees the pieces falling into place and settling in place. New village positions Four new full-time staff staffers will be hired, including staff to fill two new ones – a building and facilities manager and a communications manager. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The facilities manager will report to the public works department and ensure the care of all village buildings, including village hall, utilities building, the library, the former library now being leased, the fire station, village center and others. The village’s growth and the number of buildings have “pushed the envelope on what our staff can care for,” Schmidt said, noting when an appliance malfunctions, department managers are pulled away from their work. The expectations for the communication manager will be to change and improve “how our citizens see, hear and engage with the village,” Schmidt noted. The goal is to hire someone who can use technology and their abilities to paint a picture of the village for the community, he said. Also being hired are a new public works laborer and police officer. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Just coming on board is Lauren Dietz to replace Tim Semmann, the recently retired community development director. “She’s going to hit the ground running, and there will be a lot of fun things and a lot of exciting things in front of her to be a part of that will bring more to the community for others to enjoy, too,” Schmidt said. New software systems are also being implemented, including OnBoard to manage the committees and commissions, their applications to serve and appointments. Another system is intended to make the budget process more accessible to the public. And, Cloud Permit will be used to manage and track development review processes and eventually applicants will be able to use it. “We continue to work at perfecting that system and will be rolling it out over the course of 2024,” he said “It’s shaking – it's in the snow globe shaking process.” <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> Cloud Permit will also be used to track other licenses through the clerk’s department. Eventually, the staff will learn to harness all of the systems’ capabilities to provide better public service, Schmidt said. Getting out Perhaps the largest new outcome of 2024 will be the Playscape project at Centennial Park, bringing the first village-owned recreational water feature. The playground and splash pad will be accessible to people of all abilities, as well. Different committees and organizations are planning events for the year, as well. The recently formed nonprofit, Create Waunakee Inc. to support the Create Waunakee effort will host its Ball of Creativity in February, a gala to be held at the Waunakee Public Library Feb. 17 to raise funds for the artistic endeavors that engage the Waunakee community. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The village will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Art in Main installations, a partnership between Create Waunakee and Endres Manufacturing. Stipends are provided to local artists to create pieces following a theme chosen each year. The Waunakee Police Department is also working on its accreditation, a feat Schmidt called “a tremendous accomplishment.” It involves updating and examining all of the department’s policies and ensuring the department is in compliance. An assessor will visit the village later this month, and public input will be part of the process. Plans are also in the works to roll out the village’s Housing Betterment Program, allowing homeowners to apply for grants for home repairs. While that program was approved in 2023, the final applications have not been prepared. <nbtemplate data-id="AdPlaceholder" data-content="JTdCJTdE"></nbtemplate> The village should see infrastructure improvements on the east side with the approval of Tax Incremental District No. 10. The improvements will include streets, water and sewer extensions to prepare for new development, allowing the existing business park to expand. Of course in summertime, we can expect road construction. In Waunakee, South Street from Fourth to Eighth streets and Prospect from North Madison and North Division streets will be redone. Construction will continue on Hwy. M, and Hwy. 113 heading north of Waunakee from Sunset Lane to Hwy. V will also be reconstructed. <nbtemplate data-content="eyJhcGlLZXkiOiAiZDgxM2Q5Yzg3NTI3N2IzNWU0YzRmZDM0NTAyMjJkNmQiLCAiZGVzY3JpcHRpb24iOiAiU3Vic2NyaWJlIHRvIFdhdW5ha2VlIFRyaWJ1bmUiLCAiZXZlbnQiOiAibXBfc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uX2J1dHRvbl9jbGlja19ldmVudCIsICJ1cmwiOiAiaHR0cHM6Ly9hcGcwNi5uZXd6d2FyZS5jb20vc3M3MHYyL2FkYW1zL2NvbW1vbi90ZW1wbGF0ZS5qc3A_aW5pdD1zdGFydCZpbml0RWRpdGlvbj1XS1QmcnBhZ2U9aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaG5nbmV3cy5jb20vd2F1bmFrZWVfdHJpYnVuZS8iLCAibWVkaWFJZCI6IDE1OTM3MzYsICJ0aXRsZSI6ICJBbWlkIHRyYW5zaXRpb25zLCBXYXVuYWtlZVx1MjAxOXMgMjAyNCBzZWVuIGFzIGEgeWVhciB0byBzZXR0bGUgaW4ifQ==" data-id="MediaPlatformAmplitudeButton"></nbtemplate></div></body>

Mountain View, CA

As a new year dawns, the Village of Waunakee has changes planned within the internal organization, and the public will see new parks and faces, too.
                With all the transitions, Waunakee Village Administrator Todd Schmidt describes several moving parts. New staff will come on board and new software programs are now being implemented.
                The current staff members are also adjusting to new furniture as they return to remodeled workspaces after...