Waukesha council adopts 2026 budget and levy; several ordinances and licensing decisions follow

The Waukesha Common Council on Nov. 4 adopted the city’s 2026 operating budget and approved a related tax levy, then approved several ordinance updates and licensing actions.

Alderman Piper moved to adopt the 2026 operating budget as reviewed by the finance committee; after brief remarks the council voted to approve the plan. The motion recorded the total general fund amount as $84,127,448 and passed 14–1. The council then approved the 2026 tax levy ordinance (No. 2025-13) for $79,645,364 by the same margin.

City staff also presented amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 7 to adjust parking regulations and forfeitures and updated the municipal court bond schedule to align forfeiture amounts with those revisions. Council members asked staff to check whether the 15-day window before increased forfeitures is required by state statute; the changes and the bond schedule were approved unanimously.

Council adopted municipal code language to mirror the state dog-damage statute, allowing municipal citations and a range of forfeitures for damage caused by dogs; the ordinance passed 12–3 after discussion about trespassers, mitigating defenses and enforcement discretion.

On licensing, the council reviewed invited operator/bartender applications in open session. After debate over recent OWI/DUI incidents and how they relate to state licensing rules, the council denied the application for Grace Marie Davis (motion to deny passed 12–2) and later denied the application for Casey James Lewandowski (motion passed 11–3 with one abstention).

Other routine items included board and commission reports (Transit, Water Utility, IT, Parks & Recreation, Library), referrals on traffic and signage to Buildings & Grounds, and public-works updates on leaf pickup. The meeting was adjourned following referrals.