Oak Creek council adopts 2026 budget after public hearing; approves developer dedication and settles claim

The Oak Creek Common Council on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, adopted Ordinance 3142 approving the city's 2026 budget and appropriation ordinance after a public hearing and a presentation by Max Gagan, deputy city administrator and finance officer.

"So before you tonight is our public hearing for our 2026 budget," Gagan told the council as he outlined the package and its projected impacts on property owners. Gagan said the city's portion of the tax levy is proposed to rise by about $1,400,000 (roughly 5.4%), with the largest single increase'about $577,000'directed to the debt service fund to cover the first year of payments tied to the enhanced surface transportation program.

Gagan explained the recent closure of Tax Incremental District No. 7 (noted in the record as containing roughly $160,000,000 in increment) lowered the TID levy by about $3,000,000 and affected how levies were apportioned among taxing jurisdictions. He also said the budget includes a 3.5% wage adjustment for city employees effective Jan. 1, 2026, and several modest staff additions, including a part-time graphic designer and added library hours. The capital improvement program was described as just under $10 million overall, with the surface transportation rehabilitation program increased from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 in 2026 to fund roads, sidewalks and trails.

The presentation included figures the administration said reflect local service spending: roughly 27% of the city's portion of property taxes would fund police and dispatch services, 18% fire and EMS, 14% development, 14% administrative services, 9% public works and 8% debt service. Gagan said the projected city tax rate is roughly 5.25 mills and estimated the city-only portion of taxes on the median assessed home ($368,800 in the record) would rise by about $161 annually.

Mayor called three times for public comment during the hearing; no members of the public spoke. After brief council remarks thanking staff for their work, the council moved, seconded and adopted Ordinance 3142 by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 3142, 2026 budget appropriation: adopted by roll call. - Concurrence with the mayor's appointment of Alderman Gale to the standing joint review board (two-year term to May 2027): approved. - Resolution accepting dedication of public improvements and releasing the developer for the Heyday Oak Creek project: approved; city staff stated Apple Drive work was complete to the city's satisfaction. - License committee recommendations and various liquor/other licenses listed on the Nov. 18 report: approved. - Vendor summary report (Nov. 12, 2025): approved, total $748,951.07. - Claim payment: council approved payment of a settled claim in the minutes for $8,436.84 and authorized execution of a settlement and release after returning from closed session (claimant identified variably in the minutes).

What this means

Council members commended staff and department heads for producing a balanced document that funds ongoing services and steps up surface-transportation investments. The adopted budget increases the city's debt-service share in 2026 to support a multi-year transportation program while maintaining funding for public safety and core services.

The meeting also resolved several routine governance items: an aldermanic appointment to the joint review board for TID oversight, acceptance of public improvements for a residential development (Heyday Oak Creek) and approval of a small settled claim that was considered in closed session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(g).

The council adjourned at the close of the meeting.