Meet the candidates for trustee in the Village of Blue Mounds

Four candidates are running for two seats on the Blue Mounds Village Board. They are incumbents Phil Solchenberger and Steve Burbank as well as David Payne and Jeffrey Lange. Solchenberger, Burbank and Payne all provided detailed information about themselves and their respective visions for the future of Blue Mounds.

Lange did not provide answers to any of our questions.

Why are you running for office?

Burbank: I have lived in this area my entire life and in Blue Mounds since 2013.  It was brought to my attention from a few residents that the village was needing a couple of new trustee’s for the village board.  I care about this community and saw this as an opportunity to give back and actively participate.  I have sat in for a temporary trustee spot since January 8, 2025.  I enjoyed being apart of a good group of people that represent the village community and help make decisions to steer Blue Mounds in the best direction possible.

Solchenberger: I lived here all my life and have knowledge in the various departments.  I have been on the board at various times over many years and am aware of what is going on.

Payne: I have the skill set to organize people, listen, and serve their needs.  Though I am new to the village, I do want to live here for a long time and would like to see Blue Mounds developed in a way that brings well paying jobs to the village, that attracts businesses here that will invest in the future of our village, and in a way that connects our local businesses to a common goal for the village.

What are the most important issues the Village of Blue Mounds will face in the coming term?

Burbank: Water Quality and Balancing the budget.  The village has sought public input on projects aimed at enhancing the public drinking water system.  We need to ensure we have safe and reliable water access.  As for the budget, with declining property tax revenue we need to work together to figure out what is important to this community and maintain fiscal responsibility.

Solchenberger: It’s always a struggle to maintain services we are used to. Our streets and parks are in great shape. Our water/sewer department is in good condition but there are always updates and mandates we have to meet. But right now, I think we are very stable.

Payne: Re-establishing public trust, transparency, and communication with the citizens of the village has to be high on the agenda. I also think we will need a thorough review of the budget to identify shortfalls and come up with solutions on how to bridge those gaps.

What are some things that village leadership has done well in recent years?

Burbank: Highway F reconstruction, the Blue Mounds Area Project-Restoring Native plant diversity and improving land and water health.

Solchenberger: Upgraded the streets, upgraded booster station, and systems at sewer plant which doesn’t happen without managing money. I think we have done well can’t say enough about Mary Jo Michek in guiding through all the procedures it takes.

Payne: They meet consistently and they pay the bills.  They used grants to help build a new pumphouse.  I think putting efforts into improving the main street district was the right use of their time.  Improving infrastructure in an aging village will be crucial to attracting new businesses and improving the vibrancy of the village.

In what areas could the board improve?

Burbank: Obviously resources are always limited.  There’s never enough money in the budget to accomplish everything that we’d like to get done.  So Focusing our time towards the most critical needs for the village in order for it to do its best.  With the current tension, I would like to see us come together and work as a team again.

Solchenberger: I think where we are now is working fine.  We have people of various backgrounds that can contribute.

Payne: Communication and transparency with the members of this village have been called into question more than once.  I don’t think meetings between the members of the board outside of the public eye are acceptable and have potentially been illegal.  Public minutes should be readily accessible and I think that overall, the village needs to adopt more modern ways of communicating with its members.  I also feel like each member of the board should elaborate more about their stance on issues via social media or some sort of writing in support of their stance on certain votes and in a way that dissenting votes and stances aren’t blown off or completely silenced.

Tell us what unique skills and/or attributes you could bring to the board:

Burbank: Being a small business owner, I know what it takes to make efficient sound decisions, how to navigate unexpected issues that arise, and the extra work involved to keep things moving smoothly to find practical solutions.

Solchenberger: I am consistently in touch with the employees on what is needed . I also have knowledge in the HVAC systems which I can help maintain.

Payne: I’m an entrepreneur with a long history of business management.  I got to where I am today because of my ability to listen to the needs of my employees and customers and my ability to problem solve.  I plan, budget, align teams, and motivate teams towards common goals while also holding people accountable along the way.  I’m patient and have a strong ability to sense the needs and fight for the needs of others. I’m well traveled and have studied many different political systems and organizations both successful and unsuccessful over the years. As a youth, I worked with my local council to get a skatepark built in my city which taught me a lot about the inner workings of city government.

Tell us about your long-term vision for the village?

Burbank: I want to see Blue Mounds keep running smoothly.  I think a small amount of growth is always a good thing, whether that be the possibility of a new water tower in order to gain some more housing, or getting some sustainable growth and support for local businesses.

Solchenberger: It’s a nice small community and since we are land locked, we will stay that way. There has been talk of annexing but there are too many questions regarding other services and municipalities. It is not in our best interest as we can not meet those obligations.

Payne: My long-term vision is to have a more bustling main street business ecosystem in which businesses are complementary and create more of a destination for people to come and spend money here.  I want to increase our tax revenues by drawing new businesses to the business park and I want to use these revenues to maintain and improve city infrastructure.

Are you familiar with Robert’s Rule of Order and Wisconsin’s various open records and open meetings laws?

Burbank: Yes, after sitting in for the village trustee spot I have read and understand the procedures and guidelines on how to conduct meetings fairly and efficiently.

Solchenberger: Yes.

Payne: Yes, absolutely.  I’m very concerned by the accusations brought not only by our former president, but by a former village trustee and other members of the village as well.  I’ve yet to really hear any of the incumbents or village clerk defend or even state a position on these accusations.  I’m familiar that these are indeed laws and will vow to never engage in these back room decisions outside of the public eye.  I am a public servant in this position and any decisions that I make with the public’s money will be made in the eye of the public and under public scrutiny.

Village government has experienced some, ahem, drama recently, with disagreements about governance leading to some public spats. (Former Village President Audra Anderson stepped down last year and she expressed criticism of the board and staff in her resignation letter.) Would you be able to work collaboratively with everyone else at the Village Hall? If so, how?

Burbank: Being a level headed person with the need to get things accomplished, I’m ready to work with the village and the board to move forward.  My time here is for the current and future decisions we need to make.

Solchenberger: Yes, never had a problem with any board member in all the years I have been on the board. Her issue is quite confusing.

Payne: Yes, I’m able to work with anyone by listening and communicating the needs of my constituents. I don’t think running is about me.  It is about the people of Blue Mounds and what they want to see happen with the village in the future.  I have a great relationship already with Chief Hoops, who I believe does a really good job in his role policing the village.  Our state moto, Forward, has always resonated with me, especially through tough times.  We have to keep our eye on the future always and be working together to do what is best for everyone’s future. 

What is your favorite thing about living in Blue Mounds?

Burbank: Neighbors. We’ve got the best neighbors in our community.  I also like the fact that we are a small village, have great state and county

Solchenberger: I was born and raised here. I know no other place! My family was raised here. Over the many years I have seen its growth but with that comes other issues, as government changes, people’s expectations are more and you have to balance it all out. It’s tough on small villages.

Payne: I really love the people that live in this Village.  I’ve met so many great people that already feel like family or life long friends in my short time living here.  I look forward most to representing them and their future interests on the board come April.