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Pleasant Prairie adopts 2026 budget and property tax levy after public hearing
Summary
After a presentation and one public comment, the Village Board approved the 2026 general government budget and property tax levy (Resolution 25‑31). Officials cited rising public safety costs and stable reserves as factors in the plan.
The Village of Pleasant Prairie board adopted its 2026 general government budget and property tax levy Tuesday after a public hearing and staff presentation.
Finance staff summarized the budget package presented as Resolution 25‑31, saying total revenue is up by $635,002.91 and that property tax growth accounted for part of the increase; staff attributed the rest to growth and transfers. "Revenue is up by $635,002.91 in total," finance staff Kathy said while outlining the proposed budget, which includes operating, capital and debt components and decision packets totaling roughly $365,000.
Kathy told the board the largest expense increases were in public safety, driven largely by wages and benefits tied to union negotiations and inflationary adjustments. The operating budget shows a $465,000 increase in wages, with public safety proposed at about $15.4 million and accounting for roughly 60% of the operating budget.
During the public hearing, resident Brett Brandenburg asked about the status of reserve funds and whether transfers to the RecPlex and other projects risked depleting reserves. Kathy responded that general government reserves remain near 47% and that some transfers are one‑time decisions. "The actual reserves, we haven't brought down. We're still at 47% in general government reserves," she said.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about separating police and fire line items and about contingency planning. Multiple board members defended the budget's emphasis on public safety and the village's conservative reserve policy. Following discussion, a trustee moved to approve Resolution 25‑31; the board approved the resolution by voice vote.
The resolution sets the village's portion of the 2026 levy; staff noted an estimated median residential tax bill increase of about $413 across all taxing bodies, with Pleasant Prairie’s portion of that change roughly $25. The board recorded no further motions on the item at the meeting.
