Madison City Council adopts 2026 budget, freezes elected salaries and approves internal park transfers

The Madison City Council voted on a slate of second-reading ordinances and budget items and approved the city—s proposed 2026 budget, salary schedules and a set of additional appropriations during its meeting.

The actions included final adoption of Ordinance 2025-17c, the notice of appropriations and tax rates for 2026; Ordinance 2025-19, fixing salaries of appointed officers and employees for 2026; Ordinance 2025-20, fixing salaries of elected officials for 2026; and Ordinance 2025-18, additional appropriations moving funds within departmental accounts.

Council President Carla Krebs opened the agenda items and invited questions before the votes. City staff member Mindy, who led presentation of the budget materials, said the administration began work on the 2026 budget in August and has been refining it for over a month. "Almost every category, we reduced the budget, because of some future cuts that we see coming with the state and in the amount of money that we receive," Mindy said. She later added, "The only thing I would add, councilwoman, is just that they're all funded. The money that is being brought in to be spent is sitting in the funds right now. We're just bringing it forward to spend it."

The council also approved a salary ordinance for appointed staff and separately adopted an ordinance that keeps pay for elected officials, the mayor and the clerk-treasurer at current levels for 2026; the council said there will be no cost-of-living increases for those elected positions this year.

On the additional appropriations, council members were told the transfers are internal to the parks department. The mayor (not present at the meeting) and staff used the parks department example to explain that some accounts — for example, the campground — have available funds that will be moved to cover bills at the Rutgers Sports Complex. "We're taking money from our campground in the parks department to pay some bills at the Rutgers Sports Complex," the mayor said during the explanation; staff reiterated the transfers stay within the department.

During the public-comment portion, resident Charlie Ferguson of 718 East Second Street criticized Councilmember Patrick Chavanagh for missing the vote and for previously voting against a proposed food-and-beverage tax. Ferguson said the tax had been estimated to raise $4,000,000 for parks over five years and contrasted that with Chavanagh's separate request for $15,000 for John Paul Park. "Why are you asking for $15,000 when you refuse to vote for $4,000,000? Is there some kind of conflict of interest or ulterior motive?" Ferguson asked.

Chavanagh, who arrived late to the meeting, apologized for his tardiness and for missing the budget vote. He said he would not have supported the budget as presented, citing concerns about low reserves in several funds and anticipated state cutbacks. "I would not have supported the budget this year. I believe as it stands, the lack of reserves that we have in many funds is gonna over the next year or two...begin to put us in some dicey financial water," Chavanagh said. He also said he welcomed that elected officials received no pay increase this year.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 2025-17c, 2026 appropriations and tax rates — Approved; roll call: Carla Krebs, Cindy Tullow (called by clerk), (Lucy/variation named elsewhere), Josh Schafer, Jim Bartlett and Josh Wilbur voted yes; Joel Storm and Clerk Treasurer Patrick Kevinau were recorded as absent at that roll call. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-19, salaries of appointed officers and employees for 2026 — Approved; roll call recorded the same affirmative votes by present council members. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-20, salaries of elected officials for 2026 (no increases) — Approved; roll call recorded affirmative votes by present members; outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 2025-18, additional appropriations (internal departmental transfers within parks) — Approved; roll call: Councilmember Patrick Chavanagh recorded a no vote after arriving; other present council members (Carla Krebs, Lucy Dutillo/Dottillo variation, Josh Schafer, Jim Bartlett and Josh Wilbur) voted yes; one member was absent. Outcome: approved.

The council did not receive reports from standing committees or city officials at this meeting. The mayor was not present. The meeting concluded with the council setting its next meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m.

The article limits itself to matters discussed and voted on during the meeting: adoption of the 2026 budget and tax rates, salary ordinances for appointed and elected positions, and internal appropriations for the parks department. Public comments about the previously proposed food-and-beverage tax and a request for funds for John Paul Park were recorded but did not result in separate formal action at this meeting.