Monthly E-Newsletter

September 2026 Edition

Quick Note from the E-Newsletter Editor

Good morning, readers. This month we are trying something new!

Included in this edition is information from each of the City's Department Heads about what they are up to.

We hope the information is helpful and that you share it with your friends, family, neighbors, and/or patrons! We at the City are trying to expand accessibility of information to our residents using the tools and operational capacity we possess.

Again, please share this e-newsletter and provide feedback. If you reply to this email it will go to my mailbox.

Enjoy!

-- John Phelps, E-Newsletter Editor, Executive Assistant/Deputy Clerk

City of Baraboo Updates

Payment Portal

New Payment Portal (Police)

The Baraboo Police Department launched a new payment portal. This is where people will pay any fines or tickets to the Baraboo Police Department or Baraboo Municipal Court issued on or after September 1, 2026.

Tickets issued prior to September 1, 2026 shall be paid on the Community Portal.

Adopt a Storm Drain

Adopt a Storm Drain Program

This week is Wisconsin Stormwater Week. There is no better time to sign up for the Engineering Department's brand new Adopt a Storm Drain Program!

As of September 20, 2026 32 drains have been adopted by 7 people! Adoption is free and comes with a kit to help clean out the drain(s) you adopt.

Questions about the program? Contact Dennis by email: dbiddick@baraboowi.gov.

Weber Park Rock Wall Removal

There was a lot of buzz about the rock wall removal at Weber Park. It is sad to see it go but this was a long decision that began in October 2025 when the Park’s Commission determined that removal of the walls was the most cost-effective solution. The removed sections were actively losing rocks into the sidewalks, treebanks, and a neighboring driveway.

Department of Public Works crews have been removing the dilapidated stone wall.

After the wall is removed, those areas will be re-graded and restored with turf. The remaining walls will be removed in the future, although that date has not been set.

Voting Questions?

Email the Clerk's Department clerks@baraboowi.gov

Absentee Voting for the General Election

The first batch of Absentee ballots was sent out this week!

If you would like to request an absentee ballot, you can fill out an application online at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Vote-Absentee-By-Mail, or mail a completed application form to City Hall.

Click here for a link to a EL-121 Absentee Application. Note you will need to sign this form, but everything else can be filled in digitally. We cannot take absentee applications over the counter at City Hall.

You must provide a copy of your photo ID with an absentee application if we do not already have your photo ID on file. If you do not know if we have your ID on file, MyVote will ask you to provide a copy of your ID if we do not have one.

Online Payment Portal

The City of Baraboo online payment portal is where residents can make payments to the City (Garbage Carts, Parking Tickets, Building Permits, Pet Licenses, Invoices, Water Utility Bills, etc.).

When it asks for your account number, use the number on your Water bill. If that does not work, try dropping the last digit of the account number.

Check out the payment page. If you have any questions call City Hall 608-355-2700.

City of Baraboo Payment Page

Department Updates

Finance Department

Getting Ready for Next Year's Budget

It's budget season! Our Finance Department is working hard behind the scenes putting together the 2027 Operating Budget by reviewing service plans from all city departments. The team is also working with city leaders to decide which projects will be funded and how to pay for them.

Some good news: net new construction came in at .844%, netting the city an increase of less than $60,000 on the tax levy, which helps our tax base. Plus, money we receive from the state increased by about $18,600.

Finance Department

Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library

The Baraboo Public Library is preparing to open its inaugural Community Art Gallery in the Wichern Family Reading Room on the lower level, with an opening reception scheduled for Wednesday, October 21.

Library staff have been working on budget planning for 2027 and exploring long-term funding options, including the possibility of establishing a Library Foundation. The library also continues to pursue solar tax credits and is installing upgraded technology throughout the building.

The library offers a wide range of programs for all ages throughout the year, including storytelling for young children, book clubs, creative workshops, and gaming activities. Visit the library's online calendar for a complete list of upcoming programs and events.

Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library

Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department

Summer is winding down, so the Parks Department is gearing up for fall activities and preparing for the winter season. The department continues to support community sports through the end of October, including Thunder Softball at Pierce Park and youth soccer at Steinhorst Park. Staff are preparing facilities for the upcoming hockey season and winterization of seasonal buildings.

Campbell Park Pool Season

The outdoor swimming pool finished the season under budget with no significant repairs needed. Recent crack sealing, paint, and plumbing repairs resulted in a significant reduction in water usage compared to last year. The Pool Advisory Committee will begin meeting this fall to discuss the pool's future.

Ochsner Park Zoo

This year the zoo expanded offerings to include behind-the-scenes tours and birthday parties, which have raised over $3,500 in revenue to date. The annual exhibit sponsorship program increased its annual revenue to $7,700 this year. These programs help offset maintenance, food, and veterinary costs for our animals.

Fall Programs and Community Activities

The Civic Center continues to host long- and short-term rentals and its fitness center now has 79 monthly members. Enrollment is still open for StrongBodies, youth basketball, tumbling, gymnastics, baseball, and preschool programs, and the Civic Center will also host open gym sessions for preschoolers and homeschoolers.

Parks & Rec

Police Department

The Baraboo Police Department hosted a successful National Night Out event in August, bringing together community members and partner agencies including the Sheriff's Department, Fire District, and Department of Human Services. The event featured a cookout, music, activities, and tours of the Sauk County Command Center and Sheriff's patrol boat.

In September, officers received training on crime scene management and interview techniques to help them gather evidence more effectively. The department also introduced a new Code of Conduct and revised Internal Affairs process to increase transparency and fairness.

Looking ahead, the police department is preparing to participate in fall and winter community events, including the November Lights Parade with a special themed entry for residents to enjoy.

Police Department

Department of Public Works

Public Works crews sealed cracks along streets that were part of the city's road improvement work over the past four years. This matters because it stops water from seeping under the asphalt and curb. If water gets trapped underneath, it can weaken the foundation and cause the road to fail. The sealed joints direct rainwater into the gutters and storm drains where it belongs.

The department is also handling routine maintenance like pothole patching, asphalt repairs, sidewalk and gutter fixes, brush collection, street sweeping, and cross-departmental equipment maintenance.

This week (September 21-25) is Brush pick-up week. The last brush pick-up for 2026 will be Monday, October 26 - Friday, October 30.

Public Works

Water and Sewer Utilities

The Water Utility department made strides towards implementing a major Water Meter replacement project and will share more details as plans develop.

In the meantime, the department continues its daily operations, including water quality monitoring, lab testing, equipment maintenance, and meter changeouts.

Staff are also working on the 2027 budget to identify which water infrastructure improvements to prioritize in the coming year.

Water & Sewer Utilities

2026 SAUK COUNTY CLEAN SWEEP

Sauk County strives to host an annual collection of household and agricultural hazardous waste for residents of Sauk County. Sauk County residents with used chemicals, oil-based paints, can dispose of these items and more in a safe and environmentally sound manner via the Clean Sweep Program.

Visit the County's Page

Brush Collection

Brush is collected the last FULL week of each month April through October. The weeks are indicated by a green outline on the "2026 Baraboo Refuse Calendar."

All brush must be placed on the treebank by 7:00 AM the Monday of a scheduled pickup week to be guaranteed a pickup.

For the safety and efficiency of our brush cleanup crew, brush must be stacked neatly with cut ends facing the same direction. Whenever possible, make a few separate piles that can be picked up by a single person. Please stack brush in a location where it is accessible to Public Works crews, does not impede vision of motorists, or block pedestrian walkways. Please avoid stacking brush close to fire hydrants and signposts.

Property owners not meeting these requirements may be required to re-stack the brush pile set out for pickup or dispose of the material on their own terms.

Monthly brush pickup is for typical residential yard cleanup of limbs and branches and not intended for lot clearing or complete tree removals. The City has right to refuse collection, and property owner may need to dispose of materials by their own means. The City will NOT pickup brush placed by a contractor. Contractors are responsible for the disposal of tree waste of which they generate.

Do not mix yard waste with brush to be collected. Brush piles containing yard waste, trash, lumber, or other debris will not be collected. Yard waste can be dropped off at 407 Briar Street behind the old Public Works Facility. Please be mindful of proper disposal locations marked by signage.

Click to view our Brush Collection Policy. Also reference Chapter 11 of the City of Baraboo's Ordinances.

Below are pictures showing the proper way to place brush out for collection.

2026 Election Dates

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 - General Election

If you, or someone you know, is not registered to vote, but is an eligible voter (18 years-old at time of election, WI Resident, US Citizen, not currently serving a sentence):

Go to https://myvote.wi.gov to: