Fitchburg, WI Finance Committee: Budget Presentations II 9-30-26

The Fitchburg Finance Committee’s second 2027 budget presentation meeting was held September 30, 2026. The committee reviewed the mayor’s proposed $32 million budget, which includes a 3.45% increase in the city tax levy; the mayor estimated an annual increase of about $36 for an average home, separate from a proposed forestry fee. The proposal shifts nearly $200,000 of expenses from the levy to one-time funding and includes staffing and operating increases, including public-safety positions, peak ambulance coverage, transit costs, and a new forestry position. The forestry fee—proposed at $218 annually for applicable properties—would fund forestry operations and shift $217,000 from the general fund; officials said failure to approve it could leave a roughly $435,000 budget gap. The fee remained for later council consideration, with a public hearing scheduled for October 13 and the budget scheduled for November 10.

Procurement and capital work discussed included released RFPs for the comprehensive plan and zoning-code amendments; a bid and award for Well 12 pump-house SCADA improvements; and planned utility, road, stormwater, park, and city hall projects. The proposed budget also includes higher IT disaster-recovery costs, transit service and route-expansion funding, and park equipment and facility needs. The committee approved the budget resolution for referral to the Common Council; members may submit budget amendments by noon October 14. No final council decision on the forestry fee or budget was reported.