2025-10-22 City Council Budget Presentation Meeting

The City Council of Racine convened on October 22, 2025, for the first evening of the 2026 budget review process. The session was structured as a department-by-department presentation night, with a strict five-minute time limit per department, followed by a scheduled Q&A session for the following evening. A significant procedural debate occurred early in the meeting regarding the timing of questions, but the chair ruled to maintain the original schedule of presentations only for the night.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of the minutes from the September 16, 2025 meeting was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously (all aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments or testimony were recorded in this transcript; public interaction was limited to the procedural debate among council members.

Discussion Items

• Procedural Motion to Suspend Rules: Alder Mack proposed a motion to question departments immediately after their five-minute presentations rather than deferring to the following evening. The motion faced immediate procedural challenges from the City Administrator and City Attorney, who noted that suspending rules for a Committee of the Whole requires a specific threshold vote (two-thirds or three-fourths depending on interpretation of the agenda subject). Several aldermen expressed support for the motion (Alder Frazier, Alder Mack, Alder Jurgison, Alder Pavon, Alder Weidner) arguing that a "shotgun approach" to questioning (department-by-department) is more efficient and prevents the need to call multiple departments back on different nights. Alder Skada, Alder Allen, Alder Pete, Alder Land, Alder Kelly, and Alder Horton supported the original procedure to ensure departments could present without interruption and to adhere to the scheduled timeline.
• Outcome of Procedural Vote: The motion to suspend the rules was voted on. With six ayes and six noes (and two absent aldermen), the required two-thirds or three-fourths threshold was not met. The motion to suspend the rules failed. Consequently, the chair ruled that the night would proceed strictly with presentations only.

Key Outcomes

• Procedural Status: The budget review will continue with presentations only on the evening of October 22, 2025. The question-and-answer session is confirmed to take place on the following evening, rotating through the 15 alder districts.
• Departmental Budget Presentations Accepted (No votes required on the budgets themselves during this session):
  • Police Department (Chief Alex Ramirez): Presented a budget of approximately $36 million (up 9%) with a 25% increase in capital budget. Key initiatives include expanding the professional standards unit, acquiring new technology (Axon contracts, license plate readers, drones), and increasing officer wellness initiatives. The department highlighted 25 new hires and 4 cadet promotions in 2025.
  • Fire Department (Chief Hansen): Presented an "all-hazards" agency budget. Key points include a 6.1% decrease in fire suppression expenditures, the restoration of nine paramedic positions via a referendum budget, and a break-even EMS budget funded by billing. Emphasis was placed on cross-trained personnel across suppression, rescue, and EMS.
  • Department of Public Works (Director Rooney): Highlighted a 32% reduction in diesel usage due to the transfer station and fleet electrification. Budget updates included reducing refuse truck fuel costs by $70,000, installing charging stations for EVs, and planning for state street lift bridge rehabilitation funded entirely by WISDOT.
  • Water Utility: Director stated there would be no water rate increase in 2026. The budget includes investments in lead service line replacements (funded by anticipated federal loans) and water quality specialists. The 10-year CIP totals $242 million.
  • Wastewater Utility: Proposed a 3.1% increase in residential rates (approx. $1.61 per quarterly bill for the average resident). Key projects include biogas generation, UV disinfection, and a lift station comprehensive plan.
  • Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services (Director Mobag/Matt): Budget increase of 4.1%. Highlights include new fees for non-resident recreation programs and cemetery fees (+10%). Strategic goals include a master plan for Lakeview Park and establishing a Hispanic resource center at the Cesar Chavez Community Center.
  • Department of Community Safety (Director John Tate): Presented a department that was previously grant-funded and intends to become tax-levered for three positions in 2026. Goals include expanding Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategies to non-gang conflicts and institutionalizing cross-sector collaboration.
  • Ride Racine (Transit): Projected to maintain over one million riders in 2026. Strategic initiatives include adopting open payment systems (credit/debit card boarding), replacing aging buses, and expanding partnerships to offset the sunset of federal pandemic-era funding.
  • Municipal Court (Judge Weber): Requested a total of $801.44 in cost increases for postage and office painting. Noted high case volumes due to increased police staffing and invited council members to observe court proceedings.
  • Racine Public Library (Director Domsky): Highlighted staffing improvements (new deputy director and business manager) and community engagement successes (Lakefront Expo, author events). Emphasized the transformative impact of home delivery services.
  • Municipal Information Systems (CIO Adele Edwards): Priorities include system modernization for the new building, security upgrades (Windows 11 adoption for 800+ devices), and a Smart City initiative to provide laptops and training for 460 low-income residents.
  • Public Health (Administrator Kate Bauer): Goals include relocating to the MLK building, reducing maternal health risks via the UFIRS program (targeting a 75% decrease in unhealthy behaviors), and reducing food safety violations by 25%. Proposed an ordinance limiting hotel/motel occupancy to 29 days.
  • City Development (Director Williams): Focuses on stabilizing the Lincoln-King neighborhood (33 new townhomes), implementing a new zoning code, and enforcing vacant building ordinances. Noted over $73 million in new net construction in the past year.
  • Human Resources (Director Horton): Proposed a new workforce and recruitment specialist position to address hard-to-fill roles. Goals include a 10% increase in resident representation in city positions and 50% employee participation in professional development. Note: The administration of the health plan will shift from United Healthcare/CBS to Centivo in 2026.
  • City Attorney's Office (Attorney Lightning): No new funding requested; minor market cost increases. Continues to prioritize in-house legal work and code enforcement.
  • Finance Department (Director Fisher): Key priorities include integrating water/wastewater finance into the Munis ERP system, overseeing the Lincoln-King Community Center construction, and bringing the Racine Works program in-house. Debt service increases noted due to higher interest rates.
  • Department of Customer Service (Director Miniman): Budget reflects the doubling of elections in 2026 and the integration of water/wastewater billing. Goals include expanding bilingual access and integrating communication/marketing functions.
  • City Administration: Budget includes Mayor and Council expenses. Noted an 18% increase in operating expenses due to a rise in council meetings (from 17 to 24 in 2025). Goals include beautification events and data-driven decision-making dashboards.