Fitchburg, WI Committee of the Whole 10-28-26

The Fitchburg Committee of the Whole met on October 28, 2026, for a discussion of proposed 2027 budget amendments. The mayor’s proposed budget, before amendments, would increase the average home’s property tax by $44 and leave $643 in levy-limit capacity. The committee discussed amendments but took no action on them; budget adoption and votes were scheduled for a later meeting. Proposed spending and revenue changes included adding about $166,000 for a police real-time information center project, with discussion of body-camera technology, evidence software, and possible funding from a $150,000 police foundation contribution and an $11,000 Department of Justice grant. The committee also discussed reducing professional-services funding for a possible website rebuild, while staff noted existing funds could cover an overhaul and that digital accessibility work would be needed.

Other budget proposals included reducing contracted brush pickups from 14 to 10 annually, estimated to save about $60,000 under the Pelletteri contract; setting aside about $30,000 for fuel surcharges and $6,000 for a second food-scrap drop-off site; and reducing advertising spending by $4,000. Members also discussed a $10,000 estimate to extend paid parental leave from three to four weeks, $175 annually for tree mulch and a proposed small parks-improvement allocation, and transferring excess court fines and penalties to a community well-being fund. A correction to debt-service estimates reflected favorable pricing on a recent debt sale and removed assumed 2027 borrowing. No contract awards or procurement approvals were made at this meeting.