The City of Wauwatosa is entering budget season, when the Common Council and its committees will consider the revenues and expenses proposed by department heads, the mayor and the city administrator before voting on the 2027 budget's adoption in November.
The document known as the "executive budget," as formalized by Mayor Dennis McBride and City Administrator James Archambo, isn't scheduled to be presented to the council until Sept. 29, but Wauwatosa Finance Director John Ruggini offered some initial hints at what it might contain during a committee discussion Sept. 8.
"The budget is the most important policy document that you'll pass," Ruggini told the Financial Affairs Committee during its meeting at City Hall.
The meeting had two related agenda items, a review of the city's 2025 audit and acceptance of the budgeting process and timeline for the 2027 budget. Most of the substantive discussions will occur at several Tuesday evening meetings of the Financial Affairs Committee this October. Residents will have the opportunity to offer their input at a public hearing, which has not yet been scheduled but could occur in early November.
Final adoption is scheduled at the Common Council's Nov. 17 meeting, in time for the city to set its new tax levy and send property tax bills in December.
If you appreciate community journalism in Wauwatosa, consider becoming a paying member or supporter of Tosa Forward News.
The following are some of the preliminary details shared by Ruggini during the committee's Sept. 8 meeting.
Video of the meeting can be viewed here. Links to the documentation can be found here.
Surprise surpluses
The city ended 2025 with a $2.8 million surplus added to its fund balance, and another surplus is expected in 2026. Ruggini explained this mostly was because the city had set conservative expectations for its investment income, anticipating interest rates would drop, and instead rates have remained elevated. It is uncertain whether those advantageous conditions will continue into 2027.