Fond du Lac council adopts 2026 budget after split vote over housing priorities

The Fond du Lac City Council adopted the 2026 city budget on Nov. 12, approving a resolution that sets the city'wide budget, authorizes the tax levy and establishes fees for the coming year. The motion to adopt Resolution 9,207 passed 6'to'1, with Councilmember Miss Leering casting the lone dissenting vote.

Director of Administration Trish Davey introduced the measure as the culmination of months of work by staff and departments, saying the package sets spending levels and fees for 2026. "So first up tonight is the resolution to do, exactly what Miss Sproult explained is to set the city budget for 2026," Davey said in her introduction.

In public remarks during council debate, Miss Leering said she respected staff but did not believe the budget addressed the city's "many important issues," specifically naming entry'level and affordable housing, homelessness and stalled redevelopment such as the North Main corridor and the former Sargento property. "I just don't think that this budget addresses the many important issues facing our community," she said. She told colleagues she could not support adoption.

City Manager Joe Moore and administration staff responded that the proposed budget continues substantial investments begun in 2025 and includes planned work that partners the city with private developers to create new housing. Moore said the city has made progress on creating housing and clarified the administration's view that "affordable" housing is housing that costs less than 30% of gross income. "I respectfully disagree. I believe this budget does address the city's needs," Moore said, framing the budget as continued progress rather than a single'year solution.

Other council members praised staff for months of work on the budget. Councilmember Heisler thanked city staff and said the document represented the best available option after lengthy deliberation.

The resolution passed following a motion by Councilmember Heisler and a second by Councilmember Godfrey. The council recorded six votes in favor and one no vote from Miss Leering. The budget adoption concludes the council's formal action on the 2026 operating budget; council members noted the budget can be amended during the year if new opportunities or needs arise.

Background and fiscal details cited during discussion included comments from Louise Gudex, the outgoing housing authority executive director, who said the housing authorities together brought in about $7,000,000 in revenue last year and noted a $1,400,000 plumbing and bathroom project under way at Rosalind Apartments. Those numbers were offered as context for ongoing housing work but specific line'item budget breakdowns were provided in the administration's materials accompanying the resolution.

The council moved next to other agenda items after the budget vote; no further action on 9,207 was taken at the meeting.