Waukesha cemetery commission recommends 2026 operating budget, discusses CIP repairs and trust withdrawals

The Waukesha City Cemetery Commission voted unanimously on Oct. 13 to recommend the city’s proposed 2026 executive operating budget for the cemetery, while members reviewed capital improvements and discussed planned withdrawals from cemetery trust funds.

The recommendation approved by the commission forwards the cemetery pages of the city’s executive operating budget to the Common Council process. Commissioners and staff said the proposed 2026 budget includes a projected controllable operating shortfall of “almost $10,000,” and anticipates a planned withdrawal of $175,000 from the Perpetual Care Trust in 2026 to help cover ongoing maintenance costs.

Commission members reviewed items in the cemetery’s capital improvement plan (CIP) slated for upcoming years. Karen, the cemetery director, said the CIP lists roof replacements for the four Autumn Garden mausoleum buildings and caulking and tuckpointing around stonework as major projects planned for next year. The CIP also includes replacing one golf cart per year for four years so replacements have a smaller annual impact, a pickup truck replacement, and a…