[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6457855,"mediaKeyId","5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159","parentId",5825935,"title","Mayor presents 2026 proposed budget; city proposes $2.65 mill rate and new road-borrowing plan","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",2447000,"endMs",2555000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159&start=2447&end=2555","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159/thumbnail_2447000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6457855/Muskego-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Mayor-presents-2026-proposed-budget-city-proposes-265-mill-rate-and-new-road-borrowing-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457855-49f999edffec015d02f03bae08d468fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216980&Signature=gWl4U3-za9t~lLeJf5Op2b7L1Ns0KmSwXL3p3gYfzXz1xKZVBXrW8fbxy96e4pOsTGdTUXpg-8Wt5UquEtF1awG6dIPhj~dCki8Jyj1uYYEUbZ-8nmu~7nouUke3OhpHFePDCWRxsfTp4FmOcOvC1BcD0iickgIVVFKFYdLPkJ9P6HGPHEzP2kRc0be3tL7cjd5~-wg-pyvdg~y8i5JcdVNDCY48iWx-moePbo3KsqW5PhQNS862Btpj2mgsiccbC7OfHt1zFRa2BRGJENk1~UytdNlOZBFRGUlrWDT3nir0ygPmGWDyWCWnNUPi4jrdEC2BPtlLQ8MMDjccjKQ1sA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Muskego, WI","date","2025-09-24T17:10:18.85Z","article","Mayor (presenter) introduced Muskego’s proposed 2026 budget to the Committee of the Whole, laying out revenue assumptions, staffing priorities and a proposed borrowing plan to accelerate road repairs.

The mayor said the proposed budget is balanced and “proposes a mill rate of $2.65,” one of the lowest in southeastern Wisconsin according to the presentation. The budget summary shows net new construction growth of 1.17%, an equalized value of $5,573,000,000 and a general fund expenditure increase of 0.51 (about $95,000) compared with 2025. The mayor said the plan budgets a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for non-represented employees in January and another 2% in July; police union negotiations were ongoing.

A major structural change in the proposal is a capital approach to roads: rather than funding smaller annual amounts from operations, the city would borrow $5 million every two years to create a $2.5 million annual road program through a revised capital improvement plan. The mayor presented an estimated long-term homeowner impact in 2022 dollars: roughly $17 in 2027 and about $22 in 2028–2030 for the median home under the borrowing plan. The mayor also said health insurance renewals initially projected at 9.5% were reduced after plan adjustments to a 1.22% decrease compared with 2025, saving about $32,000.

The mayor said the fire department’s volunteer budget request is shown as a $50,000 (7.69%) increase in the proposed budget and that final budget adoption was scheduled for Oct. 28 following a public hearing. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the proposed borrowing cadence, whether the council would be locked into specific borrowing amounts (the mayor replied that each borrowing would be approved by council at the time and could be adjusted), and which financial advisers the city would use for debt issuance.

The committee did not take final action; the mayor asked alderpersons to review line items, consult department heads with questions and be prepared to return for further discussion before the Oct. 28 adoption.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Muskego, Committee of the Whole - 9/23/25","oneSentenceSummary","Muskego's mayor introduced the 2026 proposed budget to the Committee of the Whole, proposing a $2.65 mill rate, a two-step annual COLA plan, a new biennial $5 million borrowing approach for roads, and scheduled final adoption on Oct. 28 after a public hearing.","taxTitle","Muskego City, Waukesha County, Wisconsin","taxId",61447,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457860,"Council debates future of former police department building: tear down, reface or keep for cold storage",255,109000,364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159&start=109&end=364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6457860/Muskego-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Council-debates-future-of-former-police-department-building-tear-down-reface-or-keep-for-cold-storage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457860-143d6b59b48859893ac6df7f5872c809/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216980&Signature=fkM-GZ3~zo45hLCNbQl22tmstq56aRzsvWywTfwyZrGGDRyjivjrVcNL2XSirzmxeKSTJQ25GvJDhoY~oODBeIKWoAwVLYUSsMbulsVJjiidFAYUS6qS0tVaWeXXQvsYzVfmqTIpBBZFMR8Eg1rHPMAjkYBiSuQKDwZEXUbrLRAjvnXUnHczVGiLfgFeVjS5xwd8-GdX7wCRXLb~CqN9FDAVRJvrECH8izdQdRbyYSf5JOMz~h8Z1uPzXQbclLRvjLHrtf4Ea2CpUO7rSnHCWjgnjhNncpvQR0DUnghU2PBBMbuUze~5-ToM2ZDUO0BIV1DHHrmGhwiXCxbF0RSltQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Muskego alderpersons debated whether to tear down the former police department building on the city campus or preserve part of it for vehicle and equipment cold storage.

Scott (city staff) reviewed options, cost estimates and timing. Staff presented an estimated $850,000 to demolish the building and replace the parking area (including pulverizing and repaving the existing asphalt), and an approximate $600,000 estimate to build new cold storage at the DPW/industrial park site. Staff also said re-facing and preserving the rear garage for cold storage would require about the same tear-down estimate plus a smaller reface cost; he offered a rough architect/rendering estimate of $5,000–$10,000 to produce conceptual drawings.

Alderpersons were split. Several members said they preferred keeping a portion of the building for cold storage and re-facing the front to make the remaining portion look intentionally utilitarian; others favored full demolition to create green space or a parking lot and avoid continuing to host cold storage adjacent to the city campus. Alderperson Decker and Alderperson Bryce said they supported retaining some cold storage while Alderperson Dilge favored complete teardown with green space to avoid investing in a new hard-surface parking lot that could later be removed.

Staff outlined timing and funding constraints: the new cold storage project is currently in the capital plan for 2027, and any new tear-down or construction in 2026 would likely require borrowing. Scott said the city could accelerate design and bidding so construction could begin sooner if the committee chose to do so, but doing both a new new cold-storage building and demolition simultaneously would complicate logistics and likely delay one element until 2028. Several alderpersons asked staff to return at the next meeting with: (1) estimates of ongoing costs to keep the existing building winterized, including utilities and insurance; (2) square-foot comparisons between the existing garage and the proposed new building; and (3) an architect’s conceptual rendering and cost breakdown to compare refacing vs. full demolition.

No formal vote was taken; staff will bring back additional financial and design information at a future meeting to support a formal direction to capital planning.","Muskego alderpersons discussed options for the former police department building — full demolition and parking, partial teardown with refacing for cold storage, or building new cold storage in the industrial park — and asked staff to return with cost, utility and timing details for a decision.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457865,"Committee approves emergency repair for Gold Drive culvert after storm damage",254,1871000,2125000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159&start=1871&end=2125","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159/thumbnail_1871000.jpg","/articles/6457865/Muskego-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Committee-approves-emergency-repair-for-Gold-Drive-culvert-after-storm-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457865-dd011b4d7cb6a0ea00f2df690c3f1ea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216980&Signature=JajphFvG32Wir76adbkti4m98-uKxFM4ImfXK45Te1dP8exEilEepoEWC9L2Tim15yysQy1wKx6usz3eEB46XOp18SVPSfr6fpbT~a7UXjTOrBXpKcP898CdXiQWAtH4k1SUBHpa3yCWvhyZsGzFNf-Yw~S4b4~gucrdXywOcePtqdUVUObMPXbeJ1K2kzPwo00sjnCFNEuKZBBbC6IYtyIJmcIhHUO3F-w-zGsX~EjFrEHill0gB5sORlQN9SsqxaMRH~HLcQ4J8hlHJsEBA1G57cTRcRb0hmBlIIcy1YJNNt2aqhhOMf74amZAkAgbJd1JoEq8PSh0Gc8PTYx1QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Muskego City Committee of the Whole approved emergency repairs to a failing culvert on Gold Drive after recent storms undermined the existing 1974 pipe and caused road instability.

City public works staff described extensive erosion and repeated storm impacts at the Linné Lac area and said temporary repairs had left the roadway restricted to a single lane. Public works staff recommended installing a 12-by-9 reinforced concrete box culvert about 60 feet long with concrete headwalls, replacing the guardrail and restoring asphalt. Scott (city staff) said the box culvert alone is estimated at $231,900, with asphalt restoration about $27,000 and guardrail about $15,000.

The committee moved quickly because staff called the situation an emergency and said a second storm overnight underlined the need for immediate work. Committee members were also told the city expects to seek FEMA reimbursement for infrastructure losses and staff time related to the flooding. Scott said the project will follow required DNR coordination and public bidding to the extent possible for an emergency repair.

During the meeting a council member made a motion “to move forward with this,” which was seconded. A roll call followed: Alderperson Wolf, Alderperson Hamill, Alderperson Decker, Alderperson Bryce, Alderperson Schrader, Alderperson Dilge and Alderperson Madden all voted yes. The motion passed and staff were authorized to proceed with emergency replacement and related restorations.

Staff said the city has fund balance available to start the work and will submit documentation for FEMA and state assistance for possible reimbursement. Scott told the committee the replacement will use a reinforced concrete box culvert built to modern standards and that the project will likely take 8 to 12 weeks of lead time for materials and coordination.

The committee asked staff to return with any further updates on costs or FEMA status at a future meeting.","Muskego City Committee of the Whole voted to proceed with an emergency replacement of a damaged culvert on Gold Drive after heavy storms exposed a failure in a 1974 pipe; staff estimated the box culvert, asphalt restoration and guardrail at about $274,900 and said FEMA reimbursement is likely.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457845,"Council reviews options to seek TAP funds to pave We Energies trail; staff warns of long timeline and commitment risks",157,4343000,4500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159&start=4343&end=4500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159/thumbnail_4343000.jpg","/articles/6457845/Muskego-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Council-reviews-options-to-seek-TAP-funds-to-pave-We-Energies-trail-staff-warns-of-long-timeline-and-commitment-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457845-e6854539e0dac90b01e6540835fecd08/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216980&Signature=AdMAblb4bnPwjABh0E0VP4~6PXG6U33lT~KM247IjuehdQdo8OFON5HQY2U6AdTTx329AVxpHSLuNtrFZ~ByMvuv0J5gOR~BzJJCu67aauoP~QzLowQoqQNVRjx0BD79~m6mMiw27ndNWg9wTHI4~UMhbIkOPemtr7fCl6X4WwIl2j-gybmuZOXkFIzOgkc3iQiLWEmEYqxGICjmyDQIFoI46MtvnhE6nrJTxwmyoyz3LBuNmbkSCkSE6l4bPgi0yaXs1X3C1XXBWRitCPZwwv-qYtmsP6vQnCQc2ovfqXC9ZPQzRSm60XC5bfn6tX~ApGSsBHQbtb-3q6ejRQg0Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members discussed pursuing TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program) funding to pave the existing We Energies trail, with staff describing costs, timing and program constraints that would require a firm city commitment if the grant were awarded.

Staff said earlier estimates that treated the trail as a low-cost project were based on an incorrect assumption about required base work. After meeting with We Energies and DOT staff the city found a lower-spec paving approach may be feasible (narrower width, thinner asphalt) but the project remains expensive. Staff provided a planning-level total of about $3.3 million for design and construction for the full trail, with an 80/20 funding split commonly used for TAP projects; staff budgeted $300,000 for engineering and said engineering is typically about 10% of total design and construction costs.

Staff cautioned that TAP program years are booked through 2028 and the earliest construction funding the committee would likely receive is 2029–2030. The program requires a municipality to commit to the local match and to complete construction within the grant window; staff warned that if final construction costs grow due to inflation the city would remain responsible for its share of the increased cost. Staff also noted regional competition for TAP funds (Southeastern Wisconsin planning area) can favor larger jurisdictions such as Milwaukee.

Committee members discussed alternatives and priorities: apply for the We Energies trail, apply for another trail where no trail currently exists, or defer applying until the city can prepare more detailed engineering estimates. Alderperson Wolf signaled support for applying for the We Energies trail; other members asked staff to return with a clearer cost breakdown and a proposed schedule before committing to the grant application and any required council resolution to pledge local match funding.

No formal resolution was adopted; staff said they would prepare more detailed cost breakdowns and a proposal for the committee to consider at a future meeting.","Council members discussed pursuing a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant to pave the We Energies trail. Staff said engineering plus construction could total roughly $3.3 million, expected to be funded at an 80/20 federal/state-local split, with engineering estimated near $300,000 and earliest available construction funding in 2029; the ",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6457850,"Committee reviews volunteer fire department's building problems, ownership and options for future service model",182,3241000,3423000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159&start=3241&end=3423","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825935-951e110b69b32b60b739d5d7c2f71159/thumbnail_3241000.jpg","/articles/6457850/Muskego-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Committee-reviews-volunteer-fire-departments-building-problems-ownership-and-options-for-future-service-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6457850-c557b8ccb84dcc11e616c44da14d75de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775216980&Signature=cEEy1OG8JQEiAe6uD5cWPC02F2uwd4qzocafX3H9s-0DEdMzsdgbZn9l83Ex6CsswSo5jZ5wKFfsk3-~rlcMBKPP0cOzHdJxmXqhBGAZnVhN2xBcGtDEhaJne-5wbN8p6PuuO5X~p-sAA57XOPrMjZMTgrUGapUGsqibChdqikQX6Rhc7vhumkBculZV~oq64adv~1R-WOrCSl7aoIgHX5Opr5d4YXhfbKIFv7irI2GtVlsUxiYWel~SxUI2goIQOK-TOz2w9ofd-RD0~pGHQlr7GJVWYKLl7uQ8dhj4iXpzSDPQhgx9vyQmCfgej66o~be~-Ywof58AIYlpdFBzSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members discussed extensive moisture and structural problems at a volunteer fire station that the Test Corners Volunteer Fire Department (TCVFD) operates, and explored options ranging from repairing the existing structure to commissioning a study on future service models.

Staff reported that the station shows recurring and severe water infiltration through block walls used during its 1970s construction. Architects and engineers who inspected the building described water pouring through wall sections during heavy rain; staff said repeated surface treatments and repainting had not solved the underlying issue. The TCVFD requested capital for a new wall and roof; staff said an initial estimate of rebuilding the wall approached $1 million and roof replacement work at another station could be around $200,000. Scott (city staff) said the city is evaluating alternatives rather than immediately funding a full rebuild.

Committee members asked about building ownership and financial responsibility. Staff said the volunteer department is a private entity under a dissolution agreement with Muskego City and that the agreement requires council approval for expenditures over a certain dollar amount. Staff also noted that, in practice, the volunteer department is funded largely by municipal dollars for operations and maintenance, and that any large expenditure would require council review.

Council members discussed options for long-term service delivery: (1) continue the volunteer arrangement and fund repairs; (2) consolidate or contract with nearby departments; (3) create a hybrid municipal/volunteer model; or (4) transition to a full municipal fire department. The committee also noted that the city has budgeted a study (approximately $30,000 was discussed) to evaluate service models and that staff would present options and cost estimates for capital repairs and the proposed study at a future meeting.

Several alderpersons asked for transparency about TCVFD finances and the history of repair attempts; staff agreed to follow up about past maintenance, paint and contractor timeline information and to bring those financial and condition details back to the committee before any large capital appropriation.","Committee members raised concerns after engineers identified severe water infiltration at the Test Corners Volunteer Fire Department station and a deteriorating roof; staff said rebuilding the wall could cost nearly $1 million, the roof about $200,000, and the city is examining options including a study on consolidation or reorganization.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor presents 2026 proposed budget; city proposes $2.65 mill rate and new road-borrowing plan

Council debates future of former police department building: tear down, reface or keep for cold storage

Committee approves emergency repair for Gold Drive culvert after storm damage

Council reviews options to seek TAP funds to pave We Energies trail; staff warns of long timeline and commitment risks

Committee reviews volunteer fire department's building problems, ownership and options for future service model