West Allis council hears 2026 recommended budget; officials cite levy limits and new ambulance revenue

The West Allis Common Council on Nov. 4 heard the mayor's recommended 2026 budget and a finance director's recap of 2025, describing a package that would increase overall city spending by about 3 percent and include a capital plan of approximately $31,700,000.

The finance director told the council the city faces a recurring structural budget deficit and that "the city faces a structural budget deficit every single year," a shortfall typically between $1.5 million and $2.5 million that staff have bridged in prior years with shared revenues and operational savings. He said the 2026 proposal relies on new Medicaid ambulance-transport dollars of $450,000 and $420,000 freed by reactivating the convention and visitors bureau, together with additional shared revenue and certain water-utility transfers to help close the gap.

Why it matters: city staff said state-mandated levy limits and…