By Dave Fidlin
CORRESPONDENT
After a full-on launch characterized by municipal officials as successful, the City of Whitewater is moving forward on a plan to enlist the services of POLCO for at least another year.
Madison-based POLCO has provided the city with software and support for an online communication platform via the city’s website, www.whitewater-wi.gov. The service is designed to provide an additional opportunity for constituents to weigh in on municipal matters.
The Common Council on Sept. 19 renewed its contract with POLCO for another year. The agreement, which sunsets next August, states the city will pay the software provider $3,000.
“Staff has seen a positive response from the public regarding use of the service,” Kristin Mickelson, public relations and communications manager, wrote in a memo.
Because POLCO is still in Beta, or testing, mode, the $3,000 compensation plan is at a reduced price.
In other recent business, the Common Council upheld the Alcohol Licensing Committee’s recommendation of denying applicant Colin Riggs’ request to obtain a beverage operator license in Whitewater.
Riggs, of Milton, went before the committee in early September, but the panel still proceeded to recommend denial for a number of reasons. Among them: operating while under the influence and selling alcohol without a license.
The council also approved property owner Marcus Tincher’s request to rezone a residential property at 713 High St. to a technical designation of residential overlay district. The change means up to five unrelated persons can live in the home.
It also adopted an annual resolution confirming municipal taxes will go toward supporting the local Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, rather than into a pool of funds collected by Jefferson and Walworth counties.
Communities without their own libraries typically pay a library tax to counties in lieu of operating a service within the municipality.
