Verona council approves 2026 budget and $18.63 million levy; big payments and labor pact also approved
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Summary
The Common Council approved the 2026 budget (resolution 25‑031), a property tax levy of $18,633,800 (resolution 25‑032), approved payment of bills totaling $3,028,681.05, and ratified a three‑year collective bargaining agreement with IAFF Local 311.
The Verona Common Council approved the city’s 2026 budget and a property tax levy that staff identified as $18,633,800 during the meeting. The budget resolution (25‑031) and the levy resolution (25‑032) passed by voice vote after discussion about trade‑offs, levy limits and fiscal discipline.
Alder Helmke reported a motion to pay the week’s bills totaling $3,028,681.05. He listed several large payments that were included in that tally: AECOM for engineering services ($212,941), the City of Madison for Madison Metro services ($634,972), Peterson Sons Inc. for Mark Drive construction ($321,414), Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District for sewer services ($539,553), and Parisi Construction for the Legion Street intersection ($325,219). The motion to approve payments passed by voice vote.
Council also approved a three‑year tentative collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 311, covering 2026–2028. The agreement includes an acting‑officer stipend, changes to holiday and vacation language to align with non‑represented staff, an increase in the annual uniform allowance from $400 to $500, and wage increases of 8% (2026), 6% (2027) and 2% (2028). Personnel and staff recommended approval.
During budget discussion, residents raised concerns about a proposed $500,000 allocation for a new concrete skate park; councilors noted the capital improvement plan includes maintenance for parks across 2–3 years and reassured the public that park maintenance is on a rotating plan. The council voted to open and then close the public hearing on the budget before adopting the resolution.
Council also approved an agreement for 2026–2027 IT managed services with DeKine Computer Consultants, after staff described the RFP process and positive references. The firm is expected to provide roughly eight hours per week of on‑site support under the proposed contract and costs fall within the 2026 budget allocation.
All budget and levy votes were recorded as passing by voice vote.
