Fort Atkinson council adopts 2026 budget, shifts residential waste costs to special charge

FORT ATKINSON, Wis.

The Fort Atkinson City Council adopted the city's 2026 budget on Nov. 18 and approved a separate resolution that places an annual garbage and recycling fee as a special charge on the 2025 property tax bill payable in 2026. The council also confirmed the total levy and mill rate and adopted the 2026 schedule of fees.

City Manager Hausman told the council the city has a five'year curbside contract beginning Jan. 1, 2026, with an initial cost of $19.25 per unit per month and an estimated 3,959 units, which equates to roughly $914,000 per year. "The special charge would be on the 2025 property tax bill payable in 2026 for services to be rendered in 2026," Hausman said during the presentation.

Hausman said state law requires using the 2013 levy as the statutory benchmark when shifting services from the levy to a special charge. "Levy limit law took effect in 2013," he told council members who asked why that year was used.

Supporters said the change makes cost allocation more equitable. Adam Thompson, a resident who spoke during public comment, said moving residential waste costs to a direct fee "is a little bit more business friendly and fair because businesses right now are part of their tax participation in the levy." David Frigo, a resident who also spoke, urged clearer public communications, saying "some people aren't happy" about the change.

Also before the council was the formal adoption of the 2026 operating budget and associated resolutions. Hausman said several revenue changes offset spending pressures, including new intergovernmental agreements for fire and EMS that raised public charges for service and an expenditure restraint incentive program award of about $226,000 that staff plans to use for one'time roadway work.

During budget debate, councilmember (speaker4) moved to amend the budget by striking a proposed full'time facilities manager position and directing staff to return in 2027 with a phased or sharedservices alternative. The council debated the amendment at length. "We are asking our residents, yes, we have a reduction in our levy, but adding another full time permanent ongoing position, I think that's a lot to ask in a year," the motion sponsor said. City Manager Hausman responded that department managers are already stretched and lack capacity for proactive facility maintenance planning, and that the new position would centralize maintenance across roughly 38 city rooftops and 11 HVAC systems.

The amendment to remove the facilities manager failed on a voice vote. The council then approved the 2026 budget by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: the council approved the resolution establishing the annual garbage and recycling special charge; adopted the 2026 budget and set the property tax levy; confirmed the total levy and mill rate; adopted the 2026 schedule of fees; and approved verified claims (the claims item was approved by roll call with all named members voting Aye).

Houseman also outlined implementation and communication steps for the waste contract: the new carts are scheduled to be delivered in the last two to three weeks of December, with the contractor (and GFL for old cart pickup) handling exchanges, and a city refuse email address and interactive pickup map available for residents.

Other items: the council recognized local artist Marcus Tausch for five Fort Atkinson'themed paintings now displayed in the council chambers and heard a nonagenda public comment from John House about invasive species and potential grants.

The council adjourned after approving claims and the evening's business.