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Brown Deer previews 2026 budget with 3.99% levy proposal; public safety and debt cited as drivers
Summary
Village staff outlined a proposed 3.99% tax-levy increase for 2026, citing debt-service timing and rising public safety costs (notably fire services) as the largest drivers; estimated village portion for a $250,000 home is about $78.
Village staff presented a high-level overview of the proposed 2026 budget and a recommended levy increase of 3.99.
Derek, presenting the budget summary, said the increase primarily reflects a one‑time jump in debt‑service costs tied to the village's debt schedule and rising public safety expenses—largely for fire services. "One of the largest contributors to the increase includes...the debt schedule. This '26 happens to be one of those years that we see some of those jumps," Derek told the board. He said staff expect fewer major jumps in subsequent years.
The presentation gave an estimated household impact: for a home valued at $250,000, the village portion of the levy proposal equates to just under a $78 increase. Derek also said property taxes make up about 60–66% of general fund revenues and noted the village received roughly $100,000 more in the expenditure restraint program this year than expected, providing some additional budget flexibility.
Staff signaled the budget process will continue over two nights, with enterprise utility and special revenue funds and department budgets to be presented on October 6 and a public hearing on Nov. 17 for budget adoption. The board did not take a final vote on the levy at the meeting and asked staff to return with more detailed fund-by-fund numbers and department requests.
