Fitchburg Committee of the Whole Reviews 2026 Budget Amendments on October 29, 2025

The Fitchburg, Wisconsin, Committee of the Whole met at 6:01 PM on October 29, 2025 and adjourned at 8:04 PM. After the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call (quorum present; Alder Maldonado absent with excuse; Alder Herbst delayed at roll call), the committee approved the September 24, 2025 draft minutes and received no public appearances for non-agenda items. The meeting was a discussion-only work session on the proposed 2026 budget amendments and the budget-adoption resolution; no amendment votes were taken. No agenda or minutes were provided with the source materials, so this summary relies on the raw transcription.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the September 24, 2025 Committee of the Whole draft minutes by unanimous voice vote, following a motion by Alder Danzler and a second by Alder Jetzer.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public appeared in chambers or online for non-agenda items.

Discussion: 2026 Budget Amendment Process

• Finance Director Misty introduced the 2026 budget amendment packet, available on the city website under Government > Finance > Financial Records and Reports. It contains four council amendments and one omnibus staff amendment. The summary chart tracks impacts on the levy limit and the Expenditure Restraint Incentive Program (ERIP); none of the submitted amendments impact the levy limit, and one impacts ERIP.
• The mayor's proposed budget had $43 remaining in levy limit capacity; with final numbers, the proposed tax rate would increase the average home tax bill by $83.
• Misty stressed that this session was for discussion only; final amendments will be voted on at the council meeting in two weeks.

Amendment 1: $100,000 for City Communication/Outreach

• Alder Herbst introduced the amendment to remove the $100,000 communication line item, saying project-specific outreach costs were historically borne by projects (e.g., Fish Hatchery Road and Verona Road), the city already has many communication tools, and continuing the funding after the defeated spending referendum and controversial wheel tax is unnecessary.
• The mayor and staff responded that the money is TID (tax increment district) closure revenue, not levy funds, and could support required outreach for the upcoming comprehensive plan, zoning code, Fitchrona Road reconstruction, and a possible Fire/EMS district conversation. City Administrator Chad noted a communications and outreach plan is still being developed.
• Several alders expressed mixed views. Some said residents still feel they cannot find information and the city should 'meet residents where they are'; others said the money should remain available, possibly at a reduced $50,000 amount, while being reallocatable mid-year. Alder Herbst remained opposed, stating TID money is still taxpayer money and could be used for more concrete needs.
• No vote was taken.

Amendment 2: AED at McGaw Park

• Alder Laudase proposed adding an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a climate-controlled cabinet at McGaw Park, citing safety for large Friday pickleball crowds and tournaments. The cost was described as relatively small, with one alder mentioning roughly $3,000.
• EMS was consulted and supports the idea; the pickleball community offered to fundraise for replacement pads (every three years) and batteries (every five years). Staff discussed outdoor cabinet temperature controls, possible winter removal, similar AEDs in Cottage Grove and Sun Prairie, and a possible pilot policy for park shelters.
• Some alders supported seeking grants first, such as Firehouse Subs, before spending city funds; others said public safety should take priority. No vote was taken.

Amendment 3: Fitchburg Youth Commission

• Alder Maldonado, via video, and Alder Danzler proposed a nine-member youth commission with a youth majority, including youth seats from the three school districts and defining youth as ages 14 to 22. The commission would help guide the North Fitchburg hub/teen center and parks work, and give young people exposure to local government as a pilot program.
• Maldonado argued the standard $25 per-meeting stipend is not enough because rideshare costs can be about $12 each way; he identified paid participation, transportation, and food as ways to reduce barriers, citing Dane County and St. Paul as precedents. His stated non-negotiable was paying youth for their participation.
• Staff raised capacity concerns: Fitchburg has 24 committees and commissions, and every formal meeting needs staff time for agendas, minutes, and logistics. City Administrator Chad acknowledged new work is possible but requires reprioritization and noted the personal workload impact on staff.
• Most alders supported the concept; some suggested fundraising to avoid taxpayer costs, rotating meetings around the city, and possibly having the commission report to the equity committee. Danzler cautioned against attaching it to the equity committee so youth would not be exposed to difficult adult policy conversations. No vote was taken.

Amendment 4: Alder Blogs

• Alder Maldonado, with Alder Gearhart as co-sponsor, proposed city-hosted alder blogs/updates so aldermen could post district information and residents could subscribe through the city website. The proposal was modeled on Madison and intended to be nonpartisan, with content submitted by alders and posted by the city.
• Supporters said many alders currently run personal websites and paid email lists, making information hard to discover and lost when an alder leaves office. They argued the city website already has 'Notify Me' infrastructure and adding district-specific updates would be low-cost and improve resident communication.
• Staff and City Administrator Chad recommended instead a city-produced e-newsletter, planned to launch around January 2026, possibly monthly. They cited the Wisconsin Ethics Commission '50-piece rule,' content moderation, ongoing staff monitoring, and the risk that future alders may not follow the same nonpartisan standards. No vote was taken.

Omnibus Amendment: ERIP Fund Balance Transfer

• Finance Director Misty presented the omnibus amendment to transfer general fund money to the capital projects fund in order to protect eligibility for the state Expenditure Restraint Incentive Program. She described it as moving money from checking to savings; only the amount above the city's 15-25 percent unallocated reserve policy would actually be transferred.
• ERIP aid has declined from about $650,000 to about $250,000 and will eventually reach zero. The city is using one-time fund balance transfers to backfill the Capital Improvement Plan for roughly 10 years.
• In response to a question, Misty explained that as city tax rates fall, communities drop out of the ERIP program and the remaining state appropriations are reallocated among qualifying municipalities. No vote was taken.

Resolution R-17625: Special Rules for 2026 Budget Adoption

• Staff introduced the draft resolution establishing special procedures for adopting the 2026 budget. It is essentially the same as the prior year's rules, but staff said the extra procedures likely will not be needed because none of the proposed amendments affect the levy limit. Discussion only; action will occur at the council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• The committee took no action on any 2026 budget amendment; the discussion will inform voting at the next council meeting.
• The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2025, a date different from the usual schedule; interviews will be held for candidates to fill the vacant District Four seat.
• The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM.