Germantown projects modest 2026 budget increase; public hearing set for Nov. 17

Finance staff summarized changes to the proposed 2026 budget after committee reviews. The draft general fund budget is roughly $22,840,000, up about 3.5% from the adopted 2025 budget. Staff estimated the village portion of the tax rate will be approximately $4.54 per $1,000 of assessed value, which the presenter said would raise the average homeowner’s village tax bill by about $25 in December 2025.

Staff said just over half of the general fund increase is allocated to public safety (about 55%), with public works the next-largest department (~26%, ~$6 million). Major capital projects discussed for 2026 include $3.0 million for Division Road, $1.6 million for the annual road program, $6.5 million for a Fire Station 2 renovation, and $3.0 million budgeted for police-department building design; staff noted these capital projects will affect the 2027 tax bill and estimated a rough $195 year-on-year impact on the average homeowner for later-year projects.

The presenter said the board met budget targets after committee recommendations and reallocated roughly $240,000 of capital back into other line items; he also noted reallocation of a $25,000 DPW scissors-lift cost from capital into the general fund. Residents were reminded that the village will hold a public hearing on the 2026 budget at the Nov. 17 board meeting where the formal adoption and tax levy will be approved and tax bills issued in early to mid-December.

Next steps: public hearing (Nov. 17); staff will continue five-year forecasting and analyses of revenue options, including a pilot program to address service costs for tax-exempt property owners.