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Middleton council adopts proclamation, approves amended comprehensive plan report and a 3% water rate increase
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the Middleton Common Council unanimously adopted a proclamation honoring longtime alder Jim Wexler, approved the 2025 comprehensive plan annual report as amended, confirmed committee appointments and approved a 3% water utility rate increase with staff noting a full rate case is likely in 2027.
MIDDLETON, Wis. — The Middleton Common Council on Dec. 16 unanimously adopted a proclamation honoring the life and public service of former alder Jim Wexler and approved several routine and budget items, including an amended comprehensive plan annual report and a 3% increase to the water utility rate.
The council read a proclamation recognizing Wexler’s decades of civic work, including 27 years as an alderperson and years of volunteer service at the Middleton Senior Center. The proclamation, which recited Wexler’s birth date (May 23, 1951) and date of death (Nov. 30, 2025), passed on a voice vote after a motion and second were recorded.
Council members then moved through the consent agenda. Members separated item 5 for discussion and approved the remainder of the consent items (1–4 and 6–10) by voice vote. The council later approved consent agenda item 5, the 2025 annual report for the City of Middleton comprehensive plan, as amended in the transportation section (additions to sections 3b and 5c). A member who requested the amendment explained the additions fit the report’s overall goals and thanked outgoing public works staff for work on accessible parking design.
On the budget front, the council approved a 3% increase to the water utility rate. According to staff, the city completed a full rate case in 2021 that took effect in 2022. A representative for utilities said the Public Service Commission requires a five‑year interval before filing a new full rate case; the council therefore approved a simplified 3% increase for this year, with staff discussing another simplified rate case in 2026 and likely initiation of a full rate case in 2027. The motion was moved on behalf of finance by Laura Moon and seconded by Alder Myers; members voted aye and the motion passed unanimously.
The council also approved Resolution 2025‑57, adjusting the 2025 non‑represented compensation plan, and Resolution 2025‑58, amending the 2025 stormwater utility budget to fund the Middleton Hills Southeast and Spring Hills stormwater basin projects. Both resolutions passed without recorded opposition.
The council confirmed the appointments of Karen Pugh and Josh Peterson Drew to the Workforce Housing Committee and thanked the appointees for volunteering. All recorded votes on these items were unanimous.
What’s next: staff said the water rate schedule would follow the city’s public notice procedures; the draft Affordable Housing Action Plan will be presented to council on Jan. 20, 2026, and other items such as the comprehensive plan will proceed through their scheduled public processes.
