The McFarland Village Board met on Friday and approved, by a unanimous 6‑0 vote, an ordinance that annexes the April Hills neighborhood into the village. The land currently belongs to the Town of Blooming Grove, which is slated to dissolve and become part of the City of Madison by October 2027 under a 2006 inter‑municipal agreement.

Why April Hills residents want to join McFarland

Several homeowners in April Hills have long argued that their community already functions as part of McFarland. They point to a McFarland mailing address, enrollment in the McFarland School District, and deep ties to local institutions. “Our address won’t change. It’ll still be McFarland based on the zip code that we’re in and the post office that we work with,” said resident Justin Verhulst, who submitted the petition that prompted the annexation request. Verhulst added that his family is already integrated into the village: his children attend McFarland schools and his wife teaches at the high school.

Village administration’s perspective

Village Administrator Matt Schuenke explained that the annexation will not affect McFarland’s 2027 budget or its funding plan. “Ultimately, annexations are a common method for communities to grow,” Schuenke said. He noted that most annexations start with undeveloped land, but this case is different because it involves roughly 400 residents. “So that part is a little different,” he added.

Implications for the community

The decision keeps April Hills families within the McFarland school system, preserving continuity for students and teachers alike. It also aligns municipal services—such as police, fire, and public works—with the village that already provides those services to the area. Residents will continue to vote in McFarland elections and benefit from village programs.

While the annexation does not alter the village’s financial outlook, it does expand McFarland’s jurisdictional footprint. The move may set a precedent for other neighborhoods that share postal and school district ties with McFarland but remain technically outside its boundaries.

Next steps

The ordinance now moves to the appropriate state agencies for final approval. Once finalized, the annexation will be reflected in official maps and tax records. Residents can expect a transition period during which property tax bills and service contracts are updated to reflect the new municipal alignment.

For more information about the annexation process or to contact village officials, residents may visit the McFarland Village Hall or call the village office during regular business hours.

Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.