The City of West Bend Finance Committee on Nov. 10 approved actions to balance accounting for the Regner Park Aquapark and accepted several donations for parks as well as state-administered GEMT reimbursement funds for emergency medical services.

Mike (parks/finance staff) told the committee staff requested a $28,000 transfer from the recreation fund balance to an expense account to cover construction costs for the Regner Aquapark until pledged donations are received over the next six years. He said the project cost was $404,000, with $404,000 in revenues, and that approximately $30,000 in pledged donations will be delayed; staff expect to receive about $5,000 per year for the next six years. The committee approved Resolution 40 by voice vote.

The committee also approved Resolution 41 to accept three donations: $25,000 from West Bend Friends of Park and Recreation (second installment of a $50,000 commitment) for the Aquapark; $5,000 from Westbury Bank (first of seven naming-right installments) for the Westbury Bank Aquapark; and $1,000 from Roots and Branches for park amenities.

Separately, the Fire Chief presented Resolution 47 to accept Wisconsin GEMT (Ground Emergency Medical Transportation) reimbursement funds for FY2023. The chief explained that GEMT funds are a new program that partially reimburse ambulance services for the gap between Medicaid/Medicare payments and actual costs. A councilor questioned a discrepancy between figures in the memo and resolution (memo listed $50,000 for capital; the resolution text listed $43,000). The chief acknowledged a typo and confirmed the appropriation for the capital improvement (fire engine) is $50,000, with the remainder to be appropriated to small equipment or station improvements. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote.

All actions were approved by voice vote; exact roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript.