Committee members discussed frequent requests to convert commercial buildings to apartments, Assembly Bill 449 (accessory dwelling unit legislation) and plans for a zoning rewrite; staff recommended pausing the multi-dwelling ad‑hoc committee work until the state bill's outcome is clear.

After a public hearing with residents, campground owners and town officials, the Sawyer County Zoning Committee voted to forward an ordinance amendment ("Option F") to the county board recommending a 30% combined cap on park-model trailers and camping cabins in licensed campgrounds.

Public Works staff told the finance committee the contract for residential curbside collection (Johns) was moved to a special revenue fund; staff said the city expects the drop-off center to run about $50,000–$60,000 subsidized by the general fund in 2025, and noted roughly 3,200 tons of material were disposed there through August.

Public Works described a continued investment in flood mitigation (Area 7 project), ongoing engineering vacancies, street-maintenance cost drivers (utilities, salt, fuel) and leaf-collection costs as the department prepares 2026 operations.

DPW operations said it will expand telematics on snowplow trucks to better measure salt use and routing; officials warned that leaf collection can be delayed by early storms because the same crews and equipment respond to snow-and-ice events.

Fleet services manager said average ages for refuse packers and snowplows exceed industry-recommended levels; the 2026 budget funds replacements including packers and snowplows and continued deployment of telematics and electric vehicles.

Budget staff warned the transportation funds unrestricted cash position has fallen and recommended no transfer to the general fund for 2026; the presentation prompted a wide council debate about parking enforcement revenue, towing accounts, and the streetcars multi-million-dollar operating shortfall and expansion prospects.

Plant staff told the finance committee the city must lower effluent chloride under a new permit (target under 400 mg/L) and are pursuing a softener-rebate program, outreach to high water users and facility upgrades to meet limits.

The city’s transit manager told the finance committee the system consolidated routes and cut service hours about 15% this year to match ridership and funding; the city’s subsidy has fallen to about $1.27 million while Metrolift demand has risen sharply.

DER presented a modest 2026 departmental budget with a small net increase and no reduction in authorized positions. The department highlighted a 6% projected increase in health‑care costs for 2026, expansions to wellness and return‑to‑work programs, ongoing market pay studies and recruitment efforts aimed at improving retention and diversity.

Public commenters and the Milwaukee Police Department framed an urgent debate over SOP 6‑60, vehicle pursuits, during the Oct. 16 Fire and Police Commission meeting. Speakers pressed for limits on chases, a new “Sam’s Law” to govern outside officers, and faster family notifications; MPD presented data showing a rise in pursuits and six incidents in

Port Milwaukee told the Finance & Personnel Committee its proposed 2026 operating budget falls roughly $1.4 million (17%) from 2025, driven largely by declines in special funds and capital spending even as cruise visits and cruise-related projects continue.

The Election Commission told the Finance & Personnel Committee its 2026 proposed budget rises mainly because 2026 has four elections (versus two in 2025). The department is adding temporary staff funds and money for voting‑system upgrades after the April ballot shortage and high turnout in November.

At an Oct. 16 Public Protection & Judiciary Committee meeting, supervisors debated amendments that would eliminate vacant Dane County Sheriff deputy positions and reallocate the funds to homeless shelter operations and to reduce cuts to point-of-service human services contracts. The committee postponed votes to next week after presentations from a

City staff reviewed major projects proposed for the 2026 Capital Improvement Program including wastewater treatment upgrades, water system resiliency, street and utility projects, and funding questions. Council asked for follow-up on rate impacts, clarified grant deadlines and agreed to seek approval of most CIP items at the Oct. 28 meeting while a

At its Oct. 16 meeting the Wausau Transit Commission voted unanimously to submit an updated Title VI plan to the FTA, extend an existing SRF contract so staff can issue an RFP for a technology upgrade, and seek bids for a facility feasibility study after securing a WisDOT grant extension.

Human Resources summarized a tentative collective bargaining agreement for deputy sheriffs covering 2026–2028 that the union ratified; the agreement includes wage increases, expanded leave and holiday provisions, changes to vacation selection and carryover, and overtime/travel pay clarifications. The agreement will be incorporated into the county's

Ashland County committee approved the proposed 2026 budget after staff presented cuts that closed a roughly $459,000 shortfall and voted to use contingency funds to purchase a Trimble surveying unit for Land Conservation for $34,001.53.

The Ashland County Finance & Economic Development Committee approved moving a conduit bond issuance for Tamarack Health to the full county board; the county will act only as conduit and will not assume the debt.

Clean Water Plant staff reported progress on lowering effluent chloride levels under a new DNR permit and said the city is offering rebates for water-softener removal and engaging high-use businesses to reduce discharges.

Waukesha’s transit manager told the finance committee the city reduced service hours to improve efficiency, but demand for Metrolift paratransit has surged; city subsidy and county intergovernmental funding remain significant budget components.

During public comment, residents urged the city to engage with the school district over potential closures of Longfellow, Flynn and Roosevelt elementary schools; downtown business representatives and neighborhood association members praised planned funding for Downtown Eau Claire Incorporated and raised parking-ramp noise and enforcement concerns.

City staff presented the 2026 proposed operating budget and outlined pressures from levy limits, health insurance and inflation; staff proposed a $26 increase in the local vehicle registration fee (to $50 total), free transit passes for K–12 students, use of one-time funds for paid-parking launch and a shifted sustainability role rather than a new,

The Sewer Maintenance Fund’s 2026 budget centers on continued capital for green infrastructure, more sewer televising and planned in‑house capacity for private lateral referrals tied to storm‑water outfall testing. The department is creating a maintenance special fund for green infrastructure upkeep.

Milwaukee Municipal Court proposed a 2026 operating budget that cuts professional services and moves court intervention work from a contract to an in‑house pilot. The court said it will hire a small team to manage referrals and case‑monitoring and is preparing internal oversight for limited AI use and for a library‑Zoom pilot to improve access.