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Muskego council adopts 2026 operating and capital budgets after amendments covering $28,000 insurance change
Summary
The City of Muskego Common Council approved the city—s 2026 general fund, capital and utility budgets on Oct. 28, adopting several last-minute amendments to cover a $28,000 offset and to change how some capital expenditures will be handled.
The City of Muskego Common Council adopted the 2026 general fund operating budget, the five-year capital budget (as amended), and the 2026 sewer and water utility budgets during its Oct. 28 meeting.
Council members debated funding adjustments after they amended the health-insurance resolution to remove proposed increases in employee deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, which reduced the city—s projected savings by about $28,000. Councilors agreed to cover the difference by shifting reimbursements and small operating-line changes: the meeting record shows council directed $25,000 in water-utility reimbursement adjustments and reallocated $3,000 from road/trail maintenance lines to balance the general fund package.
During consideration of the capital budget, council discussed two placeholder line items for roof replacements at the city—s two fire stations. Staff said the roofs need work but that the exact scope and specifications require further investigation. Council unanimously approved a motion requiring any spending on the fire-station roofs to return to the full council for review and approval regardless of contract thresholds.
Council also approved an amendment to allocate up to $15,000 from the roof placeholder to fund a DPW cold-storage feasibility study. Alderperson Bryce made the motion citing a recent DPW tour and staff requests; council approved the allocation and voted to adopt the capital budget as amended.
Other actions taken during the meeting:
- The council approved a three-year solid-waste services contract extension with GFL Muskego LLC (refuse and recycling collection for 2026–2028).
- The council approved the 2026 sewer utility budget and rates and the 2026 water utility budget and rates by roll call.
- The consent agenda (September meeting minutes and vouchers) was approved early in the meeting.
Staff presentations during the public hearing portion of the meeting outlined the fiscal picture for 2026: the proposed mill rate estimate was $3.06 per $1,000 (subject to Department of Revenue review); general fund revenues were projected to grow modestly; public safety remained the largest expense category; the city reported a principal balance on general-obligation debt of about $26 million and a healthy general-fund balance (staff cited about $9.7 million). Capital projects for 2026 were described as being funded primarily from landfill host fees and targeted at infrastructure and equipment across public works, IT and public safety.
Council repeatedly emphasized the need for transparent future planning for roads and deferred maintenance after residents urged restoring road funding during public comment. Several members said the reduced road maintenance allocation this year could require borrowing in future years to address deferred needs.
Next steps: staff will post the adopted budgets, update implementation schedules and return with contract specifications and bid documents (fire-station roofs and DPW feasibility scope) as required by the council—s amendments.
