Whitefish Bay adopts 2026 budget, extends 2025 tax levy; average home sees $76 increase

The Whitefish Bay Village Board adopted its 2026 budget and extended the 2025 tax levy at the Nov. 17 meeting, approving a 3.1% increase in the levy that staff said translates to about a $76 annual increase for the average homeowner.

Staff summarized changes made after the budget workshop, including a $20,000 reduction in projected attorney fees, reallocations of $10,000 each to public works contract support and to the Northshore Health Department, and an almost $9,000 decrease in the technology fund estimate based on updated vendor pricing. Trustees also approved adding a building inspector position and reallocating portions of two staff members’ wages to the utilities budget to reflect their workload.

The board opened and closed the public hearing on the budget as part of the meeting, then moved and approved Resolution 3190 to extend the 2025 levy and adopt the 2026 budget for general, library, debt service, capital and TID funds. Separate resolutions (3191 and 3192) adopting the 2026 water and storm water utility budgets and authorizing extension of assessments and special charges were also adopted.

Trustees praised staff for prior months of work on the capital improvement plan and budget workshops that helped streamline deliberations. Staff said the water utility rates will increase roughly 3% and the budget adjustments will be reflected in the 2026 fee resolution and implementation materials.

The resolutions passed by voice vote; the board directed staff to proceed with implementation and to return with any necessary administrative adjustments or fee resolutions.