The Village of Jackson board on Nov. 11 adopted the 2026 general fund budget, separate water and sewer utility budgets and the 2025 tax levy that supports the 2026 budget.

President Heckendorf said the final budget included corrections from the published draft and thanked staff, noting the plan allocates a meaningful amount to capital improvements while maintaining an acceptable overall increase. "I appreciate everything that everybody has done for our 2026 budget," the president said, thanking named staff for their work.

As part of the utility budgets, the board approved an 18% increase to sewer utility rates, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The increase was presented by the Budget and Finance Committee and carried on a voice vote. A trustee who identified himself as Brian said constituents had contacted him about the size of the increase and contrasted it with a report that Grafton plans larger increases; other board members emphasized that utility charges are user fees rather than part of the general property tax.

The board also approved Resolution 25-30, which adopts the 2026 fee schedule (including revised EMS fees), and passed Resolution 25-31 adopting the 2026 general fund budget with the stated corrections. Separately, Resolutions 25-32 and 25-33 adopting the 2026 water and sewer utility budgets were approved, as was Resolution 25-34 adopting the 2025 tax levy for the 2026 budget.

The board took the actions by motion, second and voice votes; no roll-call dissent was recorded in the meeting minutes provided. Next steps noted in the meeting: implementation of the revised fee schedule and the sewer rate increase on Jan. 1, 2026.