Verona adopts 2026 budget and $18.6M levy after public debate on parks and priorities

The Verona Common Council approved the 2026 city budget (Resolution 25‑031) and a property tax levy of $18,633,800 (Resolution 25‑032) after a public hearing and council discussion.

Council opened the public hearing on the budget but heard no additional budget‑specific comments at that time; many residents had already raised concerns during the public comment period. Andy Slawak urged the council not to approve the $500,000 allocation for a single concrete skateboard park and instead prioritize maintenance across multiple parks, citing cracked courts, failing benches and trip hazards at several neighborhood parks.

Alder Helmke, chairing the finance committee, described the budget as a collaborative effort and emphasized restraint: “We are fiscally responsible,” he said, noting the city remains at levy limits and has avoided vehicle registration fees other municipalities have adopted. He outlined several large payments included in the bills and highlighted a public process and a capital improvement plan that schedules park repairs over the next two years.

After discussion about park maintenance cycles and tradeoffs between departments, council voted to approve both the 2026 budget and the levy by voice vote. Staff said projects such as the skatepark remain in the draft capital plan and that maintenance and resurfacing work for existing parks are scheduled on a rotating cycle.

Council asked staff to provide additional comparative compensation and fiscal details where requested and to continue community outreach around capital projects.