Menomonee Falls Village Board of Trustees on Oct. 20 authorized the village manager to publish a public hearing notice for the proposed 2026 village operating budget, scheduling the hearing for Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Village Manager Mark Fitzgerald said the draft budget shows a 2.3% increase in total spending and a 5.8% increase in the levy. "That would create a, a tax rate for 2026 of $4.05. That's what we agreed to, last Tuesday evening for an 18¢, increase over, the the tax rate, that is currently, on the books for 2025," Fitzgerald said. He told the board the package includes a 14¢ increase designated for street resurfacing, which he said "is now, a million dollars." Fitzgerald estimated that would fund about "1 and a half to 1 and 3 quarters miles of of resurfacing in 2026."

The budget summary included a stated $112,000 net decrease in general operating costs while creating the dedicated $1,000,000 resurfacing allocation. Fitzgerald said the resurfacing funding is temporary and tied to the village's broader capital plan: as debt service grows to cover a planned police department expansion and a public safety training center, the $1 million resurfacing allocation would likely be phased out over "3 to 4 years." He noted that roughly 70% of the police/public safety project is expected to be funded by impact fees.

Trustees questioned several line items and sought clarifications before approving the publication of the hearing notice. Board members and staff discussed the calculation of the levy and the state-provided levy-limit calculation; Fitzgerald described the typical components used each year — net new construction, five-year carry-forward, prior unused levy and debt adjustment — and said the board will not use the five-year carry-forward for 2026. The board directed staff to remove confusing language about the carry-forward from one slide.

Other budget details discussed at the meeting included:
- Waste collection: Fitzgerald said the seven-year contract with Waste Management continues into 2026 and that the contract cost for 2026 is flat versus 2025. The proposal expects a 3% resident fee increase for solid waste charges to build a fund balance; Fitzgerald said the projected 2026 fund balance for that account is $452,000 and the balance could be used to smooth future contract increases or changes in service structure.
- Library funding and staffing: The presentation shows a 0.3-mil transfer from the library levy described as funding for police (the board instructed staff to label it as "for police"). Staff explained that prior proration of facility maintenance to the library was previously 40% and was reduced to 30% for 2026. The budget combines two library funds going forward; staff said 2026 will be the first year they are combined and 2027 will show the consolidated presentation. Staff also said the library budget reductions result in roughly 2 FTE reductions and decreased part-time hours.
- Personnel and positions: The budget adds an IT position (a new full-time hire described by staff as similar to a system administrator) and shifts a full-time position from HR to finance, which staff said nets to zero in overall headcount. Fitzgerald said the finance position was more critical for operations than the prior HR allocation.
- Debt and capital: Staff reviewed long-term debt sources, noting landfill tipping fees and tax increment districts among revenue sources for debt. A previously planned dam rework estimated at about $435,000 has been postponed and the funds held for next year. Staff also explained adjustments in debt service assumptions, including a roughly $200,000 conservative adjustment tied to current year debt coverage shortfalls.
- Fire and overtime: Council discussion referenced the SAFER-related staffing changes; staff said overtime in one department dropped from about $600,000 to $299,000 year-to-year as a reaction to SAFER full-time staffing increases.

At the end of the meeting the board moved to authorize publication of the budget public hearing notice. A motion was seconded and passed unanimously with all trustees present voting in favor.

The village will publish the hearing notice and present the proposed budget at the Nov. 17 public hearing; the board will take formal action on the budget in subsequent steps following that hearing.