PORTAGE – It was a new year for village council, which had its first meeting of 2011 on Monday night. But
there was no new face around the table.
It’s been five months since Mike Schmitz quit council and there still is no immediate replacement on the
horizon.
"We still have a vacant spot. I’m still trying to talk people into it," said Mayor Mark
Wolford.
After the meeting, he said there is no law or code that requires the sixth seat be filled. It is up for
election in November, Wolford added.
Council President Mike Brinkman said it’s fortunate that the five members have been working well
together.
"So far we haven’t had any contentious issues. But at the same time we’ve always had a quorum,"
he said, adding that not having enough people to vote could become a problem with just five members.
Council also dealt with some old issues on Monday.
Wolford reported that former clerk-treasurer Bruce Shepherd has been given official legal notice that he
has until Feb. 11 to repay $864 to the village.
A letter dated Dec. 28 tells Shepherd that legal action will be taken if the money isn’t received by next
month. Solicitor Paul Skaff, in the letter, said he is not allowed to "compromise" with
Shepherd "or abate the amount owed."
Wolford said he spoke with Shepherd, who has been out of state, on the phone about the money.
"He assured me É that he would call to make arrangements," the mayor said. "He was aware
that he owed."
A state audit found Shepherd and another former clerk-treasurer, Sue Kepling, were overpaid while working
for Portage. Kepling made arrangements last year and has been repaying the $900 that she owes.
The audit, which was released in November, said Shepherd was paid $1,286 per month for the 24 months he
served. He should have been paid $1,250 a month for total overpayment of $864. Kepling, former interim
clerk, treasurer, sewer clerk and mayor’s court clerk, was due $2,216, $2,135 and $2,184 for
January-March 2008. Checks were issued to her for $2,516, $2,435 and $2,484 for an overpayment of $900.

The money must be repaid within 120 days of the audit report, Skaff’s letter stated.
Also at the meeting, council:
¥ Voted to pay the Wood County Emergency Management Agency for 2010 and 2011 services. The fee is
approximately 50 cents per resident for a total of $428.
¥ Heard a levy committee is meeting Jan. 11 at 4 p.m. in the town hall. Council is expected to put a .5
percent income tax and a 1.6-mill streets levy, both five-year issues, on the May ballot.
¥ Said the next meeting will be Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. instead of Jan. 17 due to the Martin Luther King Jr.
holiday.
¥ Heard Wolford will give his state of the village address at the Feb. 7 council meeting.