Monroe schedules Nov. 3 public hearing on 2026 budget as administrator outlines levy and debt plan

The City of Monroe Common Council voted to set a public hearing for Nov. 3, 2025, on the proposed 2026 city budget after Administrator Wendy gave an overview of key revenue and expenditure assumptions.

Administrator Wendy told the council the general fund shows “an overall revenue increase of the 1.90… and an expenditure increase of 3.1%, not including the debt service.” She said the city can increase its operating levy by $99,738 based on net new construction and is recommending an adjustment to the debt schedule so residents do not see a larger jump in 2027. “With the 135,000 being shifted, that’ll be a 135,000 less…so when you factor that in…there would technically be a decrease of 37,000 on the overall tax levy,” Wendy said, describing finance committee guidance to level debt levy from 2025 into 2026.

Wendy also highlighted other budget elements the council will consider at the hearing: a 2.7% cost-of-living adjustment for wages; inclusion of previously approved health-insurance changes; and that projected interest and principal payments will change if the city issues new debt for capital projects in 2026 or later. She encouraged council members to raise additional questions before the Nov. 3 hearing so committee time can be used efficiently.

Council members said they favored the finance committee’s recommendation to smooth debt-service impacts across years. The council formally adopted the public-hearing date by unanimous voice/roll-call vote.

The council will hold the public hearing on Nov. 3, during which members of the public may speak and the body will take further action on the budget.