KFIZ News Monday 10/24/16

FDL School Board Preview

The Fond du Lac School Board tonight will consider approving the 2016-17 School Budget and Tax Levy. The proposed tax levy is $32.7 million. District Superintendent Jim Sebert says property values increased by 1.34 percent and with enrollment up they are looking at a lower tax rate than first proposed. The rate of $9.27 is about 60 cents lower than the previous year. The board will also be asked to approve the school calendar for 2017-2018. The board meets at 5 p.m. at the District Administration Center Board Room.

Senator Johnson Staff In FDL And NFDL Today

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson’s staff will be holding office hours in Fond du Lac and North Fond du Lac today. They will be at the North Fond du Lac Community Center from 10:15 to 11:15 this morning and the Fond du Lac Public Library from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Office hours allow constituents to meet with the senator’s staff to request assistance with a federal agency or regarding other federal matters.

Traffic Lane Restriction On East Scott Street

Fond du Lac’s Public Works Department tells us there will be single traffic lane restrictions on East Scott Street at the intersection of Garfield Street beginning today. East and westbound traffic lanes will be moved to the south lane of traffic. The lane restriction will be in place to allow utility work to be completed. The street is expected to re-open to regular traffic on Wednesday, November 2nd.

Lakeside Park Walking Tour Brochure Available

The City of Fond du Lac has added the draft of a brochure for a Lakeside Park Walking Tour to its website. Community Development Director Dyann Benson says it will compliment the downtown and churches walking tour brochures they have available under their Historic Preservation tab for the Community Development Department. She says the Historic Preservation Commission felt it is appropriate because Lakeside Park has some historic structures of its own. She says brochure is just a first draft. Benson says we should be proud of the historic buildings and structures we have in the community. The brochure is in a PDF format to make it easy to print out.

Congressman Grothman Seeking Reelection

Congressman Glenn Grothman says there are things he would like to see accomplished if he’s reelected to Congress. He feels progress was made during his first term including in education. He says they got rid of Common Core and reduced the role of Federal Government in schools. Grothman asked to be on the Education Committee and did serve on it. He says the welfare system is out of control and there is no need for a huge marriage penalty. He says it is ridiculous to pay people like $30,000 a year not to get married. Grothman also supports Donald Trump’s take on immigration. He says the United States has been as generous as anybody has been with immigrants. He says 800,000 new citizens are sworn in every year and that doesn’t count the illegal immigrants who are crossing our borders. Democrat Sarah Lloyd is challenging Grothman for the 6th Congressional District seat.

Weather Effects Rolling Meadows Golf Course Revenues

Fond du Lac County supervisors recently got an update from Rolling Meadows Golf Course Manager David Brandenburg on how the county-owned course did this past season. He told supervisors weather was a factor in their revenues. He says 2016 will end up a little behind 2015 due mainly to the weather. He says they got a lot of rain last month. He says they did see a ton of new people at the course. He says their social media advertising and email database list helped and they have a lot of new people interested in a season pass for next year. He says they have a lot of confidence in how they will do in 2017. After his report the County Board approved the new fees for the course for next year.

Changes To Student Financial Aid Application

There have been some changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. Julie Waldvogel-Leitner is the Financial Aid Manager for Moraine Park Technical College. She says for one they’ve changed the date that you can fill out the application online. She says in the past it was available starting January 1st for the upcoming fall, but now it is available on October 1st. She says students applying for financial aid for the 2017-18 School Year can fill out the application now. She says they’ve also changed the income information requirement because of the change in when you can apply. The changes were made to make it easier for students filling out the application. She says those who would like help filling out the application can go to a free session at Marian University on Saturday, January 21st at 10 a.m. The application takes about 25 minutes to fill out online.

Holiday Automotive A Strong United Way Supporter

Fond du Lac Area United Way Executive Director Amber Kilawee says Holiday Automotive has done some incredible things since 2012. She says that’s when they really got on board with the campaign. Holiday Automotive President Thor Gilbertson says 91 percent of their employees give to the United Way campaign. Kilawee says that participation rate is the best of any company participation in the local campaign. Gilbertson joined Holiday last fall and he challenged his team to do more for the campaign. He gave them a goal of donating $20,000 to the campaign and they exceeded it by giving over $32,500 to the United Way. Gilbertson himself has been a United Way supporter for 30 years.

FDL PD Bike Auction Today

The Fond du Lac Police Department will hold its fall bike auction this afternoon. It will be on the west side of the police department on North Main Street. Doors open at 4 p.m. for viewing with the auction starting at 4:30. Officer Erik Foster says it is a great way to get a good deal on a bicycle. He says they will be auctioning off other items that have been turned in to the police department as well including a canoe.