Fitchburg, WI Tree Advisory Committee 10-8-26

The Fitchburg Tree Advisory Committee meeting on October 8, 2026, considered a proposed ordinance establishing a forestry fee as part of the city’s 2027 budget process. The committee voted in favor of recommending the ordinance to the Common Council; the vote did not set the fee amounts, which are to be determined through the budget process. City officials said the proposal could generate about $435,000 for forestry operations, with approximately $90,000 in additional proposed 2027 budget funding for a position and work involving wood-lot management and young-tree care. The mayor and deputy city administrator said the ordinance had been reviewed by the city attorney and a financial consultant. A resident challenged the fee’s legality, while another supported expanded tree care and asked for clearer public information and consideration for residents with limited means. Officials clarified that the fee would not create funding for property-damage claims from city trees; those remain subject to the city’s insurance process.

The department reported fall tree planting with Urban Tree Alliance, including work in the Belmar neighborhood, and said it had applied for a $5,000 Million Trees grant to support trees and volunteer planting on public land; the grant had not yet been awarded. Committee members also discussed developing volunteer outreach to help residents care for newly planted trees. No vendor contract award or purchasing approval was identified.