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Middleton council reviews 2026 budget including $52.50 recycling fee and new staff
Summary
City finance staff presented a recommended 2026 budget that includes a proposed $52.50 annual recycling special charge (estimated to raise $292,424), five full‑time equivalent positions in the general fund, and measures to implement a non‑union compensation study. Council discussed facility maintenance and potential reallocations.
The Middleton Common Council on Nov. 4 reviewed the Finance and Personnel Committee’s recommended 2026 budget, which proposes a special recycling charge of $52.50 per household and several new staff positions across city departments.
The recommended budget includes five full‑time equivalent positions in the city’s general fund and about 3.7 positions in enterprise funds, and funds two phased adjustments from a recent non‑union compensation study scheduled for Jan. 1 and July 1. Finance presentation materials placed the city’s total property tax levy at roughly $21,805,592 ($15.4 million general fund; $6.4 million debt service) and estimated an average city mill rate near $5.77 per $1,000 of equalized value.
Why it matters: Council members said the budget balances near term needs while raising questions about long‑term structural pressures. Presenter Bill (Finance/committee staff) told the council that, after applying a state recycling grant and other small revenues, "the net recycling cost to be recovered would be $292,424." He explained dividing that figure by about 5,570 households receiving curbside recycling produced the $52.50 per‑household calculation.
The recycling charge would be implemented as a special charge on the property tax bill for properties receiving curbside recycling service, the presenter said. The presentation also noted Middleton’s current recycling contract runs through 2033, limiting near‑term changes in service levels without negotiation; a council member suggested Public Works Director Ben Johns review future contract pricing implications.
Budget highlights and staffing: The recommended budget funds several new positions, including an EMS deputy chief (funded half‑year with a July 1 start), a police training officer, two part‑time community service officers, a parks marketing/outreach specialist, and a conservancy lands technician. Enterprise fund additions include a dedicated stormwater crew member and a utility billing assistant; total additional staffing cost across funds is roughly $765,000.
Council questions and next steps: Members pressed for clarity on maintenance and one‑time needs not fully priced into the budget. Ald. Myers warned that delaying an operations center concrete floor reseal and joint work could increase future costs; staff and finance said they would review options and possible allocations from a $100,000 general contingency currently unallocated. Councillors also discussed remaining open items that may need late amendments, including sewer rate adjustments after a notice from Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District and ambulance billing rates.
Timing: The council held the budget public hearing, will continue deliberations and may consider amendments at the Nov. 18 meeting before adopting resolutions to approve the budget and set the property tax levy. The presenter said final bills are expected to be mailed by mid‑December once levy calculations are complete.
