Mayor (name not specified) presented the city of Kenosha’s proposed 2026 budget and five-year capital improvement plan during the Oct. 20 common council meeting, saying the proposal totals roughly $106,000,000 and would increase the levy by about 1.6 percent.

The proposal, the mayor said, “reflects sound fiscal management, strategic investment in our future, and a commitment to keeping Kenosha a place where families can thrive.” He tied the plan to modest levy growth, ongoing credit ratings and targeted capital projects.

The mayor said the maximum levy increase allowed by the state would be $1,300,000 and that the proposed total levy would rise to $82,900,000 (a 1.6 percent growth). He told the council the proposal includes an increase of $476,000 in shared revenue and cautioned that “failure to adhere to those spending restraints put on by Madison will generate a penalty of $3,700,000.” The mayor said Kenosha has maintained a AA bond rating from S&P and that reserves equal roughly three months of expenditures.

On homeowner impacts, the mayor said the city portion of taxes would be reduced in his proposal. He stated specific figures in his remarks: "the average Kenosha home value of $200,000" and that the city portion would be "$16.92 in 2026," which he said represents a $12.40 savings, or about a 0.73 percent decrease.

Public safety and capital projects are central to the plan. The mayor told the council that 53 percent of all city expenditures are dedicated to public safety and highlighted several capital allocations: $657,000 for police squad car replacement; $707,000 to recast rescue squads for the fire department; and $500,000 for a new digital alerting system intended to replace outdated pagers for firefighters.

Parks and recreation also figure in the CIP, the mayor said, listing investments that include pickleball courts at Lincoln Park, additional Simmons Island parking, bridge work in Washington Park, restroom and concession upgrades at Wolf and Butteau parks, and equipment and playground replacements (he cited nearly $1,700,000 in equipment upgrades and more than $1,000,000 for new playground equipment citywide).

Public works projects noted in the presentation included reconstruction of 20th Street (Second Avenue) between 50th Street and Washington Road at an estimated $5,600,000; work on Seventh Place, Sixth Avenue and Seventh Avenue; approximately $3,500,000 in citywide resurfacing; and $700,000 in sidewalk repairs. The mayor also described a lakefront enhancement project tied to the city’s festival programming.

On stormwater and flood control the mayor cited “over $10,000,000 in flood control management projects next year with a total investment of more than $48,000,000 through [the multi-year plan],” and called out Pike Creek stabilization work specifically.

The mayor closed by returning the proposal to the council for consideration and thanking staff and council members for their work. No formal action on the budget was recorded in the meeting transcript; the mayor presented the proposal for the council’s deliberation.

Why it matters: the proposal sets priorities and spending plans that will guide public safety staffing and equipment, street and park projects, and stormwater investments. Any changes adopted by the council or required state adjustments could alter tax levy usage and project timing.

Next steps: the mayor submitted the proposal for council consideration; council committees and the full council will take up the budget and CIP during subsequent hearings and votes.