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Finance Committee recommends $84.1 million 2026 operating budget to Common Council after rejecting pay-cut amendment
Summary
Waukesha’s Finance Committee voted to recommend the 2026 operating budget (general fund $84,127,448) to the full Common Council after rejecting, 3–2, an amendment by Alderman Lemke that would have capped the top-tier merit increase for nonrepresented employees at 3% instead of 3.5%. Committee members debated turnover, consolidation of resident mailings to save printing costs, and budget assumptions about vacancies.
The Waukesha Finance Committee voted to recommend the 2026 operating budget to the full Common Council after rejecting an amendment that would have reduced the top merit increase for nonrepresented employees from 3.5% to 3%.
A city presenter identified in the meeting as Joe reviewed the high-level budget figures and said the general fund total in the proposed operating budget is $84,127,448. He described the major revenue sources as real estate taxes and intergovernmental revenues and said roughly half of expenses are dedicated to public safety (police and fire), with other major categories including general government, public works, and parks and recreation.
The committee discussed several budget-line issues before the vote. Chair Alderman Piper asked whether staff had evaluated consolidating printed communications to residents; Tony, who described work led by parks, recreation and forestry in coordination with public works and communications staff, said they consolidated several publications (including the activity guide and elements formerly in a public works publication) to send less paper mail and that the initiative should save “tens of thousands of dollars.”
Committee members also pressed staff on vacancies and turnover. Tony said turnover peaked at about 14% in 2024 (about 75 positions) and had recently dropped to about 7.6%; staff said payroll budgeting assumes 100% of approved permanent positions but projections incorporate roughly 1.5% unspent personnel for cash-flow assumptions.
Alderman Lemke moved an amendment to cap the top-tier merit increase for nonrepresented employees at 3% rather than 3.5%, saying the change would send a message about fiscal restraint and reduce the tax burden on lower- and middle-income households. Staff said the amendment’s total fiscal impact across funds would be $65,526, with a $57,264 impact to the general fund. Tony explained differences among employee groups: the fire contract is settled at 3.5%, there is a pending tentative agreement with police, and nonrepresented, open-range employees receive step increases that can range roughly 3.6%–4%.
Alderman Wiggersen, Alderperson Helen Slavin and another member opposed the amendment, saying it would undercut fairness and morale for nonrepresented staff who perform leadership and technical duties. Wiggersen said, “If we want to maintain a strong motivated workforce, we need to treat all of our employees equitably and I will not support that amendment.” The amendment failed 3–2. Following that vote, the committee voted to recommend the full budget as presented; the recommendation passed unanimously.
The committee’s recommendation sends the $84,127,448 general fund proposal to the Common Council for consideration at its first November meeting. Staff also announced a public hearing on the budget scheduled for November 4 and the next Finance Committee meeting on November 11.
