The City of Prescott council opened a public hearing and heard a presentation on the proposed 2026 operating budget before approving two budget-related resolutions on Nov. 10.

City staff presenting the budget said the proposed 2026 property tax levy is $2,775,586, a 2.1% increase from 2025, or an additional $56,377. Using the city’s average home valuation of $397,581, the presenter said the increase would amount to about $61.66 per homeowner annually (equivalently $15.51 per $100,000 of value). “The proposed 2026 property tax levy is $2,775,586 representing a 2.1% increase from 2025,” the budget presenter told the council during the meeting (SEG 064–066).

The presenter said major budget drivers include the final phase of a multi-year wage adjustment plan (3% cost-of-living for nonunion employees and 4% for Prescott Police Union personnel), an increase in library costs largely driven by health insurance and wage changes, a new EMS contract with River Falls for $27,772, and a modest fee increase—a $20 permit fee rise for the city’s compost site. The staff overview also described the city’s overall revenue and expense picture (just under $4.5 million total) and departmental shares: roughly 39% to police, 16% to administration, and smaller percentages to capital, public works, debt service, fire/EMS, parks and library (SEG 072–131; SEG 104–111).

On utilities and reserves, the presenter recommended using $70,348 from general fund reserves to cover two one-time items: half for taser replacement for sworn personnel and half for IT server upgrades (approximately $34,537 for servers). Staff also outlined utility fund projections: the sewer fund is projected to remain healthy with a year-end balance over $4.6 million, while the storm sewer fund faces a projected 2026 deficit of about $11,008. Staff noted a second-step water rate increase approved by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, estimated to add about $27.51 per quarter for an average water consumer (SEG 183–191; SEG 211–219; SEG 237–246).

The council opened the public hearing on the proposed budget by roll call and heard comments from community members who tied their funding requests to the city’s budget priorities. Liz Gubarud, representing the local nonprofit Gathering Place, asked the council to consider additional funding and described the organization’s programs that serve seniors and other residents; she told the council that approximately 1,700 people have used Gathering Place services (SEG 298–316; SEG 348–356). Another attendee, Janet Cleary, described the social benefits of the Senior Gathering Place and thanked the council for prior support (SEG 374–383).

After closing the public hearing by roll call, the council considered two formal measures. Resolution 60-25, establishing a water property tax equivalent for the water utility, was moved, seconded and adopted by unanimous roll-call vote (Lindsey Aye; Ben Aye; ‘Dark’ Aye; Adam Aye; Maureen Aye; Mike Aye) (SEG 429–455). The council then approved Resolution 61-25 adopting the 2026 general fund balance and levy for 2025 collectible and 2026, again by unanimous roll-call vote (SEG 456–481).

What’s next: council discussion indicated larger capital needs in coming years (Oron/Or[e]n Road, engine replacement, Court Street reconstruction) that could increase future debt service levy requirements through 2027–29. The budget presentation noted the city deferred borrowing for a planned road and trail project to 2027 while pursuing a Transportation Alternatives Program grant. Implementation details, including the water rate step on Jan. 1, 2026, and the use of reserves for the listed one-time purchases, were the most immediate actions from the meeting (SEG 139–145; SEG 146–151).

Sources and provenance: budget presentation and numeric details are drawn from the city staff presenter’s remarks (topic intro SEG 059; presenter closing SEG 268) and from the recorded roll-call votes and public-comment segments (topic finish SEG 481).