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Mayville panel approves 2026 clerk and elections budget amid rising shortfall
Summary
The Mayville Finance Committee approved the proposed 2026 clerk and elections budget after staff reported the city's projected shortfall grew because of a higher library allocation and an unexpected insurance increase.
The Mayville Finance Committee on Oct. 6 approved the proposed 2026 clerk and elections budget after staff said the city's projected shortfall had increased.
The clerk reported the budget shortfall had grown from about $41,000 to $62,008.28, citing a miscommunication about library funding and a newly announced 20% increase to property insurance premiums, up from the 10% the draft budget assumed. The committee voted in favor of the clerk's recommended numbers.
The budget presentation noted several specific pressures: the higher-cost projection for property insurance, additional election costs because 2026 is a nonpresidential election year that still may require substantial expense, and ongoing items including police parking-lot work and full internet costs. The clerk also said accounting changes would shift special assessments, public record fees and dog licensing revenue between department budgets, reducing the clerk's line items and moving those revenues to the controller's budget to reflect where the work is performed.
Committee members asked about the clerk's election estimate and publication fees. The clerk said publication fees rose because the office must publish minutes "by state law," and that she worked with local newspapers to estimate costs. She also said training and deputy staffing had increased the personnel line by about 22%.
Motion and vote: The motion to approve the clerk and elections budget was made and seconded on the floor and passed by roll call. The vote recorded alderpersons Smith, DeBaker, Henkel, Maligno and Newman as voting 'Aye.
The committee did not adopt any additional cuts during the vote; members flagged the growing overall general fund shortfall that will require further action in subsequent budget work sessions.
Looking ahead, staff said the city would continue reviewing expense line items and potential parking-lot items for later consideration as the council works toward balancing the 2026 budget.
