Common Council 10/5/26

The City of Racine Common Council held a special meeting for its annual budget address on October 5, 2026. The mayor presented the proposed 2027 budget, reporting approximately $113 million in operational spending and a $62 million property-tax levy, and discussed fiscal pressures including declining state shared revenue and the end of ARPA funding. Capital and infrastructure priorities include removing lead water pipes, beginning construction of a new fire station, identifying a site and starting design and engineering for a replacement police station, and phased improvements to Lake View Park. The mayor said Senator Tammy Baldwin has proposed $10 million in congressionally directed spending toward the fire station; this was described as proposed support, not an awarded contract. The city is also preparing with regional partners to seek federal infrastructure funding for passenger rail. No vendor selections, contract awards, or procurement approvals were made at this meeting.

The city administrator outlined the 2027 budget review and adoption schedule. Under Resolution 0489-26, written amendments were due October 15 and generally had to identify equal-or-greater spending cuts; amendments could not use fund balance or wage provisions as funding sources, and capital and operating amendments had to use their respective funding sources. The council planned to debate amendments October 19 and adopt the budget October 20. The only recorded vote at this meeting was to adjourn.