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Village of Jackson adopts 2026 budgets and approves 18% sewer rate increase
Summary
The Village of Jackson board adopted the 2026 general, water and sewer budgets, established a 2026 fee schedule, and approved an 18% increase to sewer rates effective Jan. 1, 2026; trustees said the increase is driven by utility costs and regulatory requirements.
The Village of Jackson board voted Tuesday to adopt the village’s 2026 general fund, water and sewer budgets and to raise sewer utility rates 18% effective Jan. 1, 2026.
President Heckendorf moved to approve Resolution 25-31 adopting the 2026 general fund budget, which the board approved following remarks thanking staff for work on the budget and noting available capital improvements. Trustee Wells moved approval of the 2026 water and sewer utility budgets (Resolutions 25-32 and 25-33); both were approved by voice vote.
The board also approved Resolution 25-30 adopting the 2026 fee schedule, including revised EMS fees. Trustee Olson presented the fee changes as part of the packet and the board approved the resolution by voice vote.
On utilities, the board voted to raise sewer utility rates by 18% starting Jan. 1, 2026, following a recommendation from the Board of Public Works and Budget & Finance. Trustee Olson moved the rate increase and trustees discussed public reaction and regional comparisons. A trustee cited a newspaper report that Grafton’s water rates are increasing by about 48.6% and said residents sometimes misunderstand that utilities operate via user fees rather than tax revenue. The motion carried by voice vote.
The board approved the budgets and rate change with no recorded dissent at the meeting. President Heckendorf said the adopted budget balances capital improvements while meeting operating needs; trustees discussed an open engineer/technician position and decided to delay purchasing a replacement vehicle until the position is filled.
Votes at a glance - Resolution 25-31: Adopt 2026 general fund budget — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 25-32: Adopt 2026 water utility budget — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 25-33: Adopt 2026 sewer utility budget — approved (voice vote). - Resolution 25-30: Adopt 2026 fee schedule (includes EMS fee revisions) — approved (voice vote). - Sewer utility rate increase (effective 01/01/2026): 18% — approved (voice vote).
What happens next The rate increase takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. The board did not record a roll-call tally for the budget and fee votes; the motions were approved by voice vote at the meeting. The village intends to proceed with budget implementation and will revisit staffing and vehicle purchases depending on hiring outcomes.
