Jefferson council adopts 2026 budgets, approves $5.9283 tax rate and levies including $500,000 public safety item

The City of Jefferson Common Council on Nov. 18 adopted the 2026 General Fund and utility budgets and approved property tax levies that will be collected in 2026.

Finance Director/Treasurer Stewart presented the FY 2026 budget and the City Administrator read the public hearing notice before the council opened the floor for public comment. During the public comment period, resident Jill Sirenno said she "would like more discussions and meetings with residents," and Tom Meinel reiterated a request for greater public communication. Resident Mike Soleska asked whether the city needs traffic signals, asked why the city garage was constructed next to the wastewater treatment plant and later suggested the police department could "transport people to offset the taxi deficit." The council did not take formal action on those public requests during the hearing.

The council then voted on Resolution No. 63 to adopt the 2026 General Fund budget and the 2026 budgets for Special Funds, Public Library, Recycling/Refuse, Capital Project & Equipment, Storm Sewer Utility and Wastewater Utility. Ald. Mattke moved approval and Ald. Schroeder seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Following that vote, the council approved Resolution No. 64 setting the 2025 property tax levies for collection in 2026: $3,682,075 for the General Fund, $546,275 for the Public Library Fund and $616,050 for the Capital Project and Equipment Fund. The resolution also included the Public Safety Referendum amount of $500,000 to offset Fire and EMS expenses and adopted the stated tax rate for the City of Jefferson of $5.928265730. Ald. Beyer introduced the levy resolution; Ald. Tully seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The adopted budgets and levy are effective for the 2026 fiscal year; council members did not attach additional conditions to the approvals at the Nov. 18 meeting. The council adjourned at 8:05 p.m.