The Wisconsin Election Commission ruled that the Village of Arena’s April 1, 2025, trustee ballot was unlawfully arranged due to former Clerk DaNean Naeger’s failure to conduct a required second drawing after the primary. The ruling followed election complaints and resolved one of several similar cases against Naeger, who resigned amidst the controversy.
Following recent elections, the Village of Arena has experienced significant resignations, leaving it without a president, trustee, and clerk/treasurer. Complaints, including procedural violations and election irregularities, have been filed against officials. An emergency board meeting was convened to secure village operations and oversee financial audits, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
At the April 8 Board meeting, Arena Trustees addressed a clerical discrepancy regarding a candidate forum not listed in official reports, prompting questions from Trustee Uminowicz. The board also approved purchasing a new truck, discussed sewer maintenance issues, and voted on an ordinance for short-term rentals, including Airbnb.
The joint fire and EMS agreement between the Village and Town of Arena experienced a 17-hour lapse due to negotiations over a new contract extension. After separate meetings, both parties agreed to extend the current terms until November 8, 2024, amid concerns regarding funding discrepancies and fire service obligations.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees held a special meeting to discuss separate fire and EMS agreements with the Town of Arena. Concerns were raised about the impact on morale and the absence of mutual aid in the EMS agreement. The board resolved formatting and grammatical issues, and the edited agreements will be reviewed by the village attorney and the Town of Arena.
The Village of Arena Board extended its policing agreement with Iowa County Sheriff’s office through 2025 and discussed liquidating surplus police equipment. The board also addressed emergency services issues, water services rebate, and public works matters. Additionally, they approved maintenance for the water tower, a payment for the new wellhouse project, and extended the sewer line project’s completion date. The board also considered the sale of the village’s cell tower to UScellular and voted against implementing a No Mow May ordinance.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees discussed the results of a police survey, appointed a liaison to the Iowa County Sheriff’s office, and made appointments to the restructured Public Safety Committee. They also debated lawn height ordinance changes and empowered the clerk to apply for a water rate increase. Other topics included No Mow May, fireworks, cellular tower purchase, and a water rate increase application.
Sauk County Emergency Management was alerted to the malfunction of Spring Green’s emergency sirens by media. The storm on May 21 led to wind gusts and a tornado warning, but the sirens were not functioning. Repairs were made, and neighboring villages shared information about their storm shelters. Residents in the area can sign up for emergency alerts.
The board accepted the resignations of the entire Arena Police Department and debated the future of public safety services. They ultimately approved temporary agreements with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Department to provide police services. The board also accepted a resignation and the village president nominated a replacement, causing controversy over the president’s authority. The board meets again on June 4.
Trustee resigns amid arrest, village president seeks to fill vacancy with handpicked appointment as public safety concerns loom. Resignations of police officers and termination of Fire Protection and EMS Services Agreement raise concerns. New appointments and negotiations are pending. Lack of communication and resources hinders informed decision-making. Legal advisor addresses notice requirements and mutual aid agreements.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees ended their automatic aid agreement with the Town of Arena, formed a new Public Safety Committee with mostly board members, and finalized a survey for residents to guide future decisions about police employment and budgeting. Trustee Melissa Bandell proposed rescinding the agreement based on Wisconsin Statute §66.0513. The board also discussed renegotiating the joint fire and EMS services contract with the Town of Arena.
The Arena Village Board of Trustees held a special meeting on March 27 to discuss the future of the police force, including compensation and work performance. Officers resigned from full-time positions last fall, leading to debates on policing hours, administrative duties, and community support. The meeting also highlighted concerns about police services and the use of police resources.
The Village of Arena Board of Trustees held a special meeting to discuss the employment of the police officers, sparking concerns and confusion among residents. The closed session meeting raised questions about the board’s control, authority and communication. Past legal disputes over police department funding further complicated the situation. Residents and the village attorney called for transparency and a collaborative approach to address community safety concerns.
The Village of Arena Police Department’s officers are transitioning to part-time positions due to low morale and conflicts with the Village Board of Trustees. Chief of Police Nicholas Stroik announced the shift, citing unjustified interference and non-supportive comments from board members. Despite the reduced hours, the department pledge to maintain the community’s safety, while acknowledging the potential for increased response times. The decision was approved by the village board amidst criticisms about the impact on emergency services.
Audit reached no conclusions, but shows potentially large errors in water bills.
During public comment at last month’s regular meeting of the Village of Arena Board of Trustees on March 7, board members were handed papers by former Village President Paul Pustina. Those papers contained an “Independent Accountant’s Report” covering current Arena Village Clerk/Treasurer DaNean Naeger’s tenure in Monticello. The report represents the findings of what Monticello Village Board minutes refer to as a forensic audit. Arena officials have stayed quiet since the meeting, but the current Monticello village president insists he saw no evidence of wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, February 22, at 8 a.m. the Village of Arena Personnel Committee met, made a recommendation to accept the resignation of Arena’s superintendent of public works effective March 31, and started right in working on interviewing for a replacement. If nothing else, the committee moved with laudable speed to fill a hole that was not even official yet.
On Feb. 15, Village of Arena’s Public Works Superintendent Michael Schmidt submitted his resignation, with a month and a half notice. By the next week, the village was already holding a meeting to interview internal candidates. That rush to hold an interview resulted in several village officials having open meetings law complaints filed against them.
The Arena Police Committee did not take any disciplinary action against Arena Police Chief Nicholas Stroik following a complaint from an area resident who said she felt harassed and targeted by the chief.