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Committee approves Wauwatosa Village BID 2026 operating plan and assessments
Summary
The Wauwatosa Financial Affairs Committee voted unanimously to approve the Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District 2026 operating plan and assessments, placing the special charges on affected 2025 property tax bills; the BID reported roughly $555,505 in total income and no increase to assessment rates.
The Wauwatosa Financial Affairs Committee approved the Wauwatosa Village Business Improvement District 2026 operating plan and proposed assessments at its Nov. 11 meeting.
Maria Pano, executive director of the Village BID, told the committee the BID’s total projected income is about $555,505, derived from assessments, event income and a city contribution; she said the BID is not increasing assessment rates for 2026. "Our event income has increased significantly as we have added some events," Pano said.
John (city staff) explained the committee's role: under state statute the council must vote to accept or reject the BID budget and, if approved, the special charges are placed on tax bills for businesses within the BID. The staff committed to making the resolution explicit to identify the Village BID (the packet contains the specific boundary language), after a committee member noted there are multiple BIDs in the city.
A committee member moved approval and Alder Gustafson seconded. The chair called the vote and recorded unanimous approval with seven ayes.
According to the BID presentation, the operating budget includes administrative expenses around $99,650, an aesthetics line of about $36,000 and an $8,000 strategic planning allocation; the packet also notes a projected operating loss (roughly $92,897), which Pano attributed to increased event and other operating costs this year. The BID said it will continue events and marketing to sustain revenues.
The committee did not alter assessment rates at the meeting; staff said the approved budget and assessment totals will now be placed on affected 2025 property tax bills.
