On Monday, City Fiscal Affairs Officer Ellen Luczkowiak defended Mayor Kate Wdowiasz's proposed 2027 budget, which includes a suggested 11% property tax increase. Luczkowiak addressed the Common Council Finance Committee meeting, explaining the extensive work done to streamline the spending plan.
According to Luczkowiak, City Comptroller Tracy Smith-Dengler undertook a "complete revision" of the budget layout. Smith-Dengler consolidated departmental information, particularly for the Department of Public Works, which Luczkowiak noted was previously "all over the place," making it difficult to ascertain the actual budget figures. Smith-Dengler was excused from Monday's meeting for a pre-planned vacation, reportedly scheduled before she joined the city in July. Luczkowiak stated the comptroller is expected to return on Thursday, noting that balancing the budget was not an easy task after receiving consolidated numbers from Smith-Dengler.
The Fiscal Affairs Officer emphasized that copies of the budget proposal are available at City Hall and can also be emailed upon request. She also acknowledged that both the Common Council and the Office of the State Comptroller would review the budget, and that "obviously there will be possible changes and revisions."
Councilman-at-large Nick Weiser, who chairs the Finance Committee, inquired about the city's remaining capacity before reaching a state constitutional limit on taxation. Luczkowiak responded that there was "very little" room left. She also stated that Mayor Wdowiasz had maintained all departmental requests within the budget, highlighting significant needs for overtime in both the police and fire departments. The proposed 2027 budget allocates $220,000 for police overtime, an increase from $184,000 in the adjusted 2026 budget. Overtime for the fire department remains at $250,000, consistent with the previous year.
Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak questioned how such a substantial tax hike could be proposed when the Common Council has not yet been asked to override the state tax cap for 2027. Ellen Luczkowiak clarified that it is currently a "proposed budget." Natalie Luczkowiak further commented on the need to thoroughly examine the budget, cautioning against the belief that the city's problems could be solved "as easy as raising taxes."
The budget review process is set to continue with the Common Council meeting on the next three Tuesday mornings, beginning with the Department of Public Works at 9 a.m. today, October 20. Councilman Weiser expressed his hope that the council would have a "clear idea of what we want to do on the budget by mid-November."
In addition to budget specifics, Weiser introduced a proposal from Comptroller Smith-Dengler to issue tax bills earlier than April to improve the city's early 2027 cash flow. Weiser indicated support for a voluntary system, where official due dates would remain unchanged but residents would be strongly encouraged to pay as early as possible. When asked about the timeline, Clerk/Treasurer Amy Dobek estimated it would take "a couple weeks" to issue tax bills immediately after the December 15 deadline for the council to pass the budget. Weiser expressed optimism that providing residents the option of earlier payment could help alleviate recent cash flow concerns discussed in Finance Committee meetings.
Resident Chris Pinkoski, typically a questioner at the close of Finance Committee meetings, queried whether the budget addresses the city's deficit. Ellen Luczkowiak hesitated, noting Smith-Dengler was "the lead on that," but ultimately conceded that the budget does not contain anything "extra" specifically to tackle the deficit. Pinkoski also characterized the sewer budget as "unrealistic" and not fully funded. Fiscal Affairs Officer Luczkowiak responded by assuring that a "deep dive on sewer" would be conducted during the council's upcoming budget review.