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Fond du Lac City Council adopts 2026 budget; Leering votes no
Summary
The Fond du Lac City Council approved the final 2026 city budget (Resolution 9207), a five‑year capital improvement plan and multiple borrowing‑related reimbursements on Nov. 12, 2025. Council member Ms. Leering voted against the budget, saying it does not do enough to address housing and homelessness.
The Fond du Lac City Council on Nov. 12 adopted the final 2026 city budget, levied the tax and established fees as set out in Resolution 9207, after roughly an hour of presentation and council discussion.
Director of Administration Trish Davey told the council the resolution sets the city’s 2026 budget, authorizes the tax levy and establishes fees. Questions from council members were limited; Davey and City Manager Joe Moore described the package as a continuation of investments the city is making in housing and other services.
Ms. Leering objected to the budget on the grounds that it does not sufficiently address “the many important issues facing our community,” including the housing shortage and homelessness. “I don't think that this budget addresses the many important issues facing our community,” she said during debate, and announced she could not support the measure.
Moore and other council members defended the budget. Moore said the city has made “substantial investments” in housing in 2025 and proposes continued investment in 2026, and described affordable housing as housing that costs less than 30% of gross income. Council member Mr. Heisler praised staff work and said he “enthusiastically support[s] this budget.”
A motion to adopt Resolution 9207 was made by Mr. Heisler and seconded by Mr. Godfrey. The resolution passed with six votes in favor and Ms. Leering voting nay.
The council also approved Resolution 9208, the proposed 2026–2030 capital improvement plan, unanimously after a brief introduction by Davey. The council approved Resolution 9209 adopting the 2026 Fond du Lac area transit budgets; during that discussion Trish Davey and City Manager Joe Moore said transit operations total a little more than $2,000,000 annually with about $1.5 million coming from federal sources and smaller amounts from fares and advertising revenue.
Finally, the council passed three related resolutions (9210, 9211 and 9212) declaring official intent to reimburse expenditures from proceeds of borrowing for general capital projects, water projects and wastewater treatment projects so work can begin ahead of final borrowing. Resolution 9210 passed with six in favor and Ms. Leering abstaining; Resolutions 9211 and 9212 passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance: - Resolution 9207 (2026 city budget): passed 6–1 (Ms. Leering opposed). - Resolution 9208 (2026–2030 CIP): passed unanimously. - Resolution 9209 (2026 transit budgets): passed unanimously. - Resolution 9210 (reimbursement — general capital): passed 6 in favor, 1 abstention (Ms. Leering). - Resolution 9211 (reimbursement — water): passed unanimously. - Resolution 9212 (reimbursement — wastewater): passed unanimously.
The council had no further input items and adjourned.
