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Public Works committee forwards 2026 operating budget, approves decision items including Bluebeam software
Summary
The Middleton Public Works Committee recommended the 2026 operating budget to Finance & Personnel and Common Council, approving decision items including a $4,000 Bluebeam software subscription, fleet additions and two proposed streets crew positions; staff also presented corrected brush and leaf-collection cost figures.
The Middleton Public Works Committee on Aug. 11 recommended the 2026 Public Works operating budget to the Finance & Personnel Committee and the Common Council. Staff emphasized that staffing additions (two streets crew members) are still being costed and will be refined with HR and finance work, but presented decision items that the committee approved to forward.
Ben reviewed the operating-package highlights and identified a $4,000 decision item for Bluebeam software, which staff said would improve plan review collaboration and reduce back-and-forth with developers. “It would allow multiple engineers to be looking at a plan set and making comments on it,” Ben said.
The committee also reviewed fleet additions—an ironworker and a floor-cleaning machine for the municipal operations center and two large patrol/dump trucks tied to a staffing request—and discussed sustainability preferences for battery or hybrid equipment when feasible. Brad Hopwood said the ironworker is roughly 30 years old and the replacement will deliver long-term value.
Staff reported corrections to prior cost calculations for brush and leaf collection: brush collection labor and operations in 2024 totaled just under $60,000; leaf collection costs are considered stormwater utility expenses while brush collection remains a general-fund expense. Committee members discussed scheduling and communication improvements for brush and leaf collection notices to residents.
A motion recommending approval of the 2026 operating budget (including the $4,000 Bluebeam item) was moved and seconded; the committee voted to forward the package to Finance & Personnel and Common Council.
