Frequently Asked Questions

In most cases, residential, commercial, and agricultural buildings are assessed at market value. Farmland is often assessed at use value, and personal property assessments are derived from information provided on the statement of personal property.

An appraiser may leave a tag at your property when he/she would like to conduct a physical view of the property. In many cases, an inspection is requested if the property is newly constructed, has had a building permit, a neighborhood property analysis is being done, or if the interior of the property has never been seen. By physically viewing the property, the most accurate information will be available to the assessor. If you find a yellow tag at your property, you may call the number listed to schedule an appointment with an appraiser.   For more information please see Property Owner Rights.

You are not required to let someone from the Assessor’s Office into your property. A certified letter may be sent if there is no response to initial attempts to contact the property owner. If the property is not viewed internally, an estimate of value will have to be made using only the best information available. The goal of the Assessing Department is to have the most accurate information available when assigning a value. For more information please see Property Owner Rights.

The assessed value is the market value of your property as determined by the assessor.

The estimated fair market value is the property’s assessed value divided by the average assessment ratio for the entire municipality. The average assessment ratio is the relationship between the total assessed value and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s estimate of total value for the municipality. More information on this subject can be found in the Guide for Property Owners.

A good time to discuss your assessment with an appraiser from the Assessor’s Office is during the open-book session. If after discussing the value with an appraiser you are still in disagreement, you may appeal your assessment at the Board of Review. For additional information regarding the appeal process, you may refer to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s publication entitled: 2021 Guide for Property Owners.

If you still disagree with the assessed value of your property after discussing it with an appraiser in the open book session, you may appear at the Board of Review at your scheduled date and time. To schedule a Board of Review hearing, please contact the City Clerk. The Board’s function is not one of valuation, but of deciding the validity of the facts presented by the property owner or representative and by the assessor.

Dane County provides general assessment information on their web site Access Dane. Please keep in mind that if the assessment roll is not complete for that year, the assessments for the previous year are carried over into the current year on the web site until final values are received from the municipality. Property assessment rolls are also kept in the City Assessor's Office for viewing. If you would like specific information for properties located in the City of Fitchburg, information can be found at AssessorData, or you may contact the Assessing Department’s main line at 608-270-4235. Manufacturing property is not assessed at the local level. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue assesses all manufacturing property in the State of Wisconsin.

Please call Pellitteri Waste Systems at 608-257-4285 or check the Collection Day Map.

Call Pellitteri Waste Systems (257-4285) to arrange a special pick-up collection or for additional options check the Recycling Guide

Here is the link for the Solid Waste and Recycling Calendar. Paper copies are available at the City Hall Lobby, 5520 Lacy Rd.

Call the Public Works Department at 270-4260. Please provide as much information as possible (closest house address, intersection) and a detailed description of which light is out. Or submit a concern on line with the "Report a Concern" page.

Call Public Works during regular business hours (M-F, 7:30 - 4:15). For after hours calls please refer to the Traffic Signals Web page.

Please go to the Water Quality web page.

• Make sure the area around your water meter is clear and accessible for the installer
• Operate your water valves on both sides of the city water meter a couple of times to ensure they are in working condition. If repairs are needed, please make them prior to your appointment. If you are unable to make the repairs prior to your appointment, please call the city to reschedule.
• Read through the "Residential Water User Cross-Connection Hazards Bathrooms & Kitchens" brochure that will be provided with your appointment letter and verify that you do not have any cross-connection within these rooms. Correct any cross-connections found.

The City of Fitchburg utilizes a user-friendly online application process. You may apply online for any current postings by clicking the Apply button at the top of the job posting and following the prompts. You will create a “master” application that you can review and edit each time you apply for a job.

If you do not have a computer or internet access, you may consider the following options: 

Use a computer at a local library.  Come check out the Fitchburg Public Library located at 5530 Lacy Rd. in Fitchburg!

Use a computer at one of the local job centers.  The Dane County Job Center is located at 1819 Aberg Ave. in Madison. 

Or ask family or friends who may also have a computer with Internet access available for your use.  

When you use our online application system, you can sign up for free e-mail with Hotmail, Yahoo!Mail, or Gmail. It only takes a few minutes to set up an account, just follow the prompts.

Please consider completing a job interest card to receive notification when openings become available in your area of interest. We do not accept online applications for positions that are not vacant and posted. 

The online job application process will take you through five steps: Job Application Agency Wide Questionnaire Supplemental Questionnaire Confirm Application Certify and Submit. After completing Step #4, Confirm Application, you can print a copy of your application before you press Confirm & Send Your Application.

On average, allow approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete your application. After you complete the section labeled "Agency Wide Questions," you can either click the "Save and Proceed" button to move to the next step of the application process or click the "Save Work in Progress" button and complete it at a later time. Note: You must click the "Confirm" button at the end of the application by the time listed on the posted close date in order for your application to be submitted.

No, you may not submit a resume alone. You do need to fill out an application. Before submitting your application, there is a part on the application where you may cut and paste your text resume (DO NOT use HTML tags) or you may attach a resume. All blanks on the application must be filled out completely. “See Resume” responses are not acceptable.

The closing date for each position is listed on the job posting. All application materials must be received by the time listed on the posted close date. Once a position closes, it will be removed from the website and applications will not be accepted. Some job opportunities list “Continuous” under the closing date. These opportunities remain open until filled.

Late applications will not be accepted. Check our website regularly and apply for new jobs as soon as they are posted to avoid missed deadlines. You can sign up to be notified of job postings you are interested in by filling out the job interest card. As soon as a job is posted that matches your interest, you will be alerted via email to check out the posting where you then can apply.

The status of your application, scoring results, interview notification, testing dates and locations, or any other human resource related matter will be accessible with your login and password. Go to Government Jobs, click on the "Career Seekers" tab and login with your user ID and password. Then click on the "Application Status" tab. You will see a list of your applications and their status.  You will also receive email notifications and text message notifications (if you opted in for text messaging updates).  Should you have any further questions and need answers on the recruitment process, you may feel free to call HR at 608-270-4200.  

Applicants must submit an employment application and answer any required supplemental questions. The applicant is responsible for submitting a complete City of Fitchburg application. If the application does not have the minimum qualifications as listed on the job posting, then the applicant will be notified and will not move forward in the selection process. Additional information will not be accepted after the application deadline date.  If the applicant meets the minimum qualifications, the applicant will be informed of the next step in the recruitment process which may include a review of the supplemental questions, testing and/or interviews.  

Requests for accommodation should be directed to the Human Resources Department well in advance of the interview and/or testing date. Please call City Hall at 608-270-4200 and ask to speak to Human Resources.

Applicants may be contacted to schedule an interview based upon their qualifications and requirements needed for the position. The Human Resources Department reserves the right to call only the most qualified applicants to the hiring interview.

Selected applicants are notified via email, text message or phone, and will have the opportunity to schedule their own interviews by logging in to the system. An interview panel meets with the responding candidates evaluating them through a set of objective questions based on job-related requirements and departmental needs, and makes a recommendation for hire. Interviews are scored.

Fitchburg offers excellent benefits including the Wisconsin Retirement System, health, dental, life insurance, income continuation insurance (disability), an onsite fitness center, wellness incentives and work/life balance. Check out the benefits in detail available to you as an employee in our Benefit Summary.  

The City does not begin the background check until a offer of employment is made and the candidate has accepted the contingent offer.  All employees of the City of Fitchburg must successfully pass a pre-employment background check which will include a criminal history check and verification of employment history, education, licenses, and references.  The City uses the job relatedness test so please note a criminal charge on a candidate’s background is not an immediate disqualifier by any means.   If the position requires driving, a driving record check will also be conducted. Some positions are subject to a pre-employment drug test and additional medical testing.  

Yes. Any fines or fees $10.00 or more can be paid online with a credit or debit card by logging into your LINKcat account.  Fines and fees under $10.00 must be paid in person with cash or check.

Yes, if your fees are $10.00 or more you can pay online through your LINKcat account. If you wish to pay in person, the library only accepts cash or check at this time.

Yes. Please complete and submit a Purchase Request form that is online and library staff will follow up.

Many items can be renewed up to two times. This can be done by logging into your library card account in LINKcat, or by contacting the library to request a renewal. Instructions on how to renew online are available in the help section of LINKcat. You may NOT renew if: Other library card holders have reserved the item.

Yes, you may still use a desktop PC or iMac at the library. Laptops may be checked out at the discretion of the library.

The Fitchburg Public Library accepts cards from other South Central Library System libraries. These can be used to check out items, or log in at our public computers. To use online items (ebooks, downloadable audiobooks, online magazines) you must have a Fitchburg card or access these resources through your home library.

Yes. Our librarians can assist you in requesting items through LINKcat, or from libraries outside of the South Central Library System. Call (608) 729-1763.

To discuss fees on your library account, please contact the Access Services department at (608) 729-1761, or email fitchburg.circulation@fitchburgwi.gov.

Present a completed library card application along with a photo I.D. and proof of residence at the first floor check-out desk. Card applications are available at the library, or can be downloaded online. Anyone under the age of 16 must have their parent or guardian present to receive their card.

Library card holders may place holds on most library items. Visit LINKcat help for detailed instructions on how to reserve items. Once your item(s) arrive you will receive telephone or email notification, depending on your preference. Items will be held for 8 days from the time of check in.

Books - 28 Days Audiobooks - 28 Days Lucky Day Books - 14 Days Kindles - 14 Days CDs - 14 Days Magazines - 14 Days DVDs - 7 Days

As of 2019, the Fitchburg Public Library no longer charges late fees for items checked out at this library.  Items checked out from another South Central Library System library are subject to that library's overdue policy.  Accounts with an outstanding balance of $20.00 or more in fees will be prevented from renewing or checking out more items.

For assistance with a forgotten PIN call (608) 729-1760, email us, or visit the library in person.

Call (608) 729-1761 as soon as your card is lost or stolen. Library staff will deactivate the lost/stolen number. Note that you are responsible for any items checked out to your card, so reporting a missing card is important to protect yourself from potential fees.

The easiest way to show your residence when applying for a library card is to use a driver's license with your current address. The library will also accept photo identification plus: Checkbook with name and current address Current lease with name and address Mail, provided it includes your name, current address, and is postmarked within the last 30 days

The library has two rooms that may be reserved for groups of 6 or more. For more details or to request a room reservation see our Meeting Rooms page. There are also 4 study rooms available on the second floor on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday & Saturday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Sunday (Sept. through May) 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Sunday (Jun. through Aug.) CLOSED

Many programs at the library, such as story times, do not require registration. Occasionally programs do require registration due to equipment, space, or staff needs. Those requiring registration will generally be denoted on the library's event calendar. For youth/teen programs call (608) 729-1762. For adult programs call (608) 729-1763.

No, the library does not offer proctoring service. A list of proctoring locations is available upon request from the second floor information desk, or by calling (608) 729-1763.

You can donate materials to the library by dropping them off at the library’s circulation desk on the first floor any time the library is open. Library staff will determine if they will be added to the collection or not. Please review the Gifts to the Library Policy as well as the Friends of the Library Donation Policy before bringing items to the library.

We have a Meeting Room and a Conference Room available for the public to reserve at no cost. Please review the Meeting Room Policy before making your reservation. Room reservations can be made on our Meeting Rooms page.

The Fitchburg Public Library provides space on its public bulletin board for notices, announcements and community events. This service is extended in the spirit of community and to provide access to a wide variety of information sources. Please review the Bulletin Board Policy for further information.

Yes! Patrons are welcome to park under the Library during open hours. The garage can be accessed off of Research Park Drive. Please approach the door slowly, it will open automatically.