During a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant challenges facing the city as they prepare for the upcoming budget cycle. The conversation highlighted ongoing issues stemming from last year's budgetary constraints, the absence of an assessor for a period, and the delayed board of review scheduled for October 7th. These factors complicate the city’s ability to establish an accurate tax levy and rate, which are crucial for financial planning.

City officials acknowledged that while Franklin boasts the lowest tax rate in Milwaukee County, concerns among residents about potential tax increases remain prevalent. The discussion emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements to attract businesses, as many developers are drawn to municipalities with established facilities and incentives. Despite recent successes, such as securing Project Green, competition from other municipalities offering more attractive packages poses a challenge.

The meeting also addressed the impact of state-imposed tax limits and inflation on city finances. Officials noted that maintaining a flat budget over the past few years has strained departmental operations, making it difficult to meet service demands. An anticipated modest increase in shared revenue of approximately 1.5% further complicates the financial landscape.

Additionally, the city faces issues related to aging infrastructure and equipment. Agreements with service providers like Enterprise Fleet and Johnson Controls aim to mitigate costs, but the need for ongoing maintenance remains critical.

As the city navigates these challenges, officials expressed a commitment to transparency and collaboration in the budgeting process, anticipating multiple meetings to address necessary changes before the final budget is adopted.