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Waukesha council approves 2025 CDBG reallocation and 2026 estimate, emphasizes ADA upgrades and inclusion specialist
Summary
The Common Council approved a roughly $16,000 reallocation to cover a 2025 CDBG shortfall and endorsed a 2026 CDBG allocation plan that prioritizes ADA facility improvements and funding for an inclusion specialist and Freedman Alley public art; the 2026 allocation passed 12–1.
The Waukesha City Common Council voted June 3 to approve a small reallocation of the city’s 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and to endorse a 2026 CDBG allocation estimate that emphasizes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements and continued programming support.
Jennifer, a city CDBG staffer, told the council that the city’s 2025 grant award came in lower than anticipated and “will be reduced by about $16,000,” and recommended reducing the public-infrastructure line by that amount. She said the city’s CDBG board reviewed the change and Public Works agreed to the shift. The council approved the 2025 reallocation unanimously.
On the 2026 estimate, Jennifer said the proposal is an estimate and could be revised when final numbers are available; she highlighted a sizeable allocation for ADA improvements as part of the city’s strategic plan to upgrade facilities for accessibility. She also explained that programming dollars are limited to 25% of the overall CDBG grant and that internal department applications are reviewed by the CDBG board before awards are made.
Melissa Lipska, Parks and Forestry Operations Manager, described the inclusion specialist supported in the proposal as a staff role that “helps train our staff, goes to programs and then…also can set individual kind of plans for individual children and people in our programs,” providing one-on-one support and behavioral planning so more participants can safely use recreation programs. She clarified the position is a year-round, part-time/seasonal role that remains below benefits thresholds.
Council members asked whether allocations could be shifted among line items; Jennifer said the council can make revisions to the board’s recommendation but must keep programming within the 25% cap. After discussion, a motion to approve the 2026 allocation estimate passed 12–1.
What’s next: staff said the 2026 numbers are estimates and may be adjusted when the final grant amount is known. The council did not identify specific projects that would be cut if the estimate changes; council members were advised they may revisit allocations if necessary.
