Glendale council previews 2026 budget, flags park shortfalls and water-fund debt; several motions pass

Glendale ' City Administrator Carl Warwick on Monday presented the city's draft 2026 budget to the Common Council, saying the plan projects a $405,000 surplus for 2026 if assumptions hold and would keep the city's fund balance above policy targets.

Warwick described the four-column budget format (actual 2024, budget 2025, estimated 2025 year-end and proposed 2026) and said the plan covers the general operating fund, proprietary funds (water, sanitary, storm), special revenue, capital projects and debt service. "We project the hotel revenue to remain around $1,000,000," Warwick said, and he noted rising retiree health-insurance costs are an ongoing pressure.

Why it matters: the draft budget sets parameters that affect property tax levy calculations, capital projects and operations across public safety, public works and community services. Warwick told the council the final levy amount was refined during the presentation and will be discussed at the next meeting; property-tax-related decisions will influence tax-bill timing in December.

Key items and takeaways

- Maslowski Community Park: Warwick said the Richard E. Maslowski Community Park fund underperformed in 2025, showing about a $22,000 deficit. He said lower-than-expected alcohol sales were part of the shortfall and recommended work in 2026 to address the fund balance.

- Utilities and fees: Councilors asked about the environmental charge on utility bills (refuse, recycling, yard waste). Warwick said the bill includes an "environmental charge" and that, under an adopted fee schedule, the property-tax subsidy for yard waste (~$165,000 per year today) is intended to phase out over seven years so residents will increasingly see the direct cost on bills rather than via the levy.

- Water fund and mains replacement: Warwick warned the water fund carries a significant debt load tied to water-main replacement work and estimated Glendale's share of major North Shore water-plant repairs at roughly $5,000,000 (Glendale's portion of an estimated $10,000,000 program across partners). He emphasized that debt service (about $2,000,000/year in the water fund) is the main driver of water-fund expense.

- Staffing and services: The budget would restore a police community outreach officer position eliminated in 2021 and expand mowing services via a $150,000 contract to free public-works staff for higher-priority tasks. Chief Fuegman described the outreach role as crucial to coordinate programs such as DARE, the citizens police academy and community events.

- Capital program highlights: The budget anticipates completion milestones for the High 43 and Silver Spring projects, funds year two of the police-station reconstruction, and includes phased work on a Public Works yard (new salt dome required by law). Warwick noted project timing is sometimes unpredictable for vehicles and apparatus and that grant funding may determine whether the Public Works yard is fully funded in 2026.

Council action and votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (consent agenda): Motion carried by voice vote.

- Appointment of Marcy Granger, city clerk: City Administrator Warwick recommended Marcy Granger following a multi-candidate recruitment and interviews; the council approved the appointment by voice vote. Granger said she will start Thursday.

- Amendment to published budget public hearing notice: Council approved an amendment to reflect changes discussed in the presentation; the public hearing remains scheduled as noticed with an updated amendment.

- Authorization of agreement with Camosy Construction for police-station construction management: Council approved a construction-management-at-risk agreement with Camosy at an estimated 3% fee on a conceptual $8.1 million project (budgeted expenditure noted at about $244,000). Staff said that percentage is typical for this size project; councilors asked questions before approving.

- Resolution supporting the state's appeal of FEMA denial: Council approved a resolution backing Wisconsin's appeal after FEMA denied public-assistance reimbursements tied to August flood-related expenses including about $230,000 in extra garbage pickup.

What's next

Warwick said the council is noticed to hold a public hearing and consider adoption of the budget in two weeks; councilors asked staff to provide additional line-item detail, fee-schedule documentation and follow-up reports on pilot programs (mowing contracting outcomes and water-loss detection performance).