From The Mayor's Desk - May 15, 2026

Village of Hartsburg

One-Year Community Update

Dear Hartsburg Residents,

As we reflect on our first year serving the Village, we want to take a moment to share an update on the work that has been underway throughout our community.

Over the past year, our focus has been simple: bring clarity, strengthen operations, and begin moving Hartsburg forward in a thoughtful and sustainable way.

Strengthening the Foundation

Early on, it became clear that several core systems, particularly financial processes and water operations, needed attention.

Throughout the year, the Board has worked to:

• Improve financial tracking and reporting processes

• Address audit findings and begin correcting past discrepancies

• Establish clearer procedures for payroll, billing, and recordkeeping

• Begin aligning funds appropriately between departments

This work is not always visible day to day, but it is critical to ensuring the long-term stability of the Village.  

Improving Water Operations

A significant portion of this year has been dedicated to stabilizing and improving our water system.

Efforts have included:

• Addressing billing inconsistencies and improving accuracy

• Updating tracking and reporting of water usage

• Completing inspections and responding to EPA recommendations

• Identifying and working to reduce unaccounted water usage

In addition, the Village has:

• Implemented a new water billing system

• Introduced online billing and payment options for residents

These updates are aimed at making billing more accurate, accessible, and convenient for the community.

We know this has been an area of concern for residents, and while there is still work ahead, meaningful progress has been made toward building a more reliable and transparent system.  

Bringing Structure and Accountability

Another priority has been creating clearer structure in how the Village operates.

This has included:

• Establishing defined Board roles and committee responsibilities

• Updating and enforcing existing ordinances to ensure consistency

• Implementing processes for permits, violations, and resident concerns

• Creating more formal communication channels for questions and feedback

The goal is not to add complexity, but to ensure that responsibilities are clear and that processes are fair and consistent for everyone.  

Expanding Communication

Improving communication has been a major step forward this year.

We have:

• Launched the Village’s official website and FB Page

• Increased the frequency of updates and announcements

• Made meeting agendas and minutes more accessible

• Expanded ways for residents to stay informed and engaged

We recognize that not everyone uses the same channels, and we will continue working to reach residents in multiple ways.  

Investing in the Community

Beyond operations, we have focused on maintaining and improving the spaces we all share. In the spirit of what makes Hartsburg special, this year has also been about leaning into what we often refer to as our “Small Town, Big Heart” approach. That means not only maintaining our community, but showing up for it.

Highlights include:

• Elevating our Townwide Clean Up efforts by expanding to two events each year and now offering free residential pick-up services and assisting residents with unloading during the events.

• Supporting community events like Founder’s Day and seasonal activities

• Completing improvements and maintenance around Village properties

  
  

In addition, the Village has been actively pursuing outside funding to support larger improvements. To date:

• Over $175,000 in grant funding has been applied for

• Approximately $95,000 has been awarded, with additional applications still pending

As funds are received, they are planned to be used for:

• Replacement of the Village maintenance shed

• Updates and improvements to Village Hall

These efforts are focused on making thoughtful investments that benefit the community while being mindful of local resources.  

Planning for the Future

Looking ahead, the Village has begun laying groundwork for long-term improvements through:

• Continued pursuit of grant funding opportunities

• Planning for facility upgrades and infrastructure needs

• Evaluating ways to make services more efficient and sustainable

These are not overnight changes, but steps toward building a stronger future for Hartsburg.

A Community Effort

This year has also come with its share of challenges, including working through past processes, navigating limited resources, and addressing differing perspectives.

Through it all, one thing has remained clear. Hartsburg cares deeply about its future.

We have heard your feedback, both supportive and critical, and it continues to shape the decisions we make.

Moving Forward

As we enter our second year, our focus remains the same:

• Continue strengthening core operations

• Build on the progress already made

• Keep communication open and consistent

• Work together to improve our community

There is still more to do, but we are moving in the right direction and we are committed to doing the work thoughtfully and responsibly.

We are proud of the progress made so far and even more hopeful of what is ahead. That is what “Small Town, Big Heart” means to us, and we look forward to continuing that work together.

Thank you for your continued support, involvement, and pride in our Village.

With sincerest regards,

Darien Ritterbush

Mayor, Village of Hartsburg