Mayor Woodford Introduces 2027 Appleton City Budget
The proposed $224.6 million spending plan includes a 1.1% tax levy increase and shifts in capital financing.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in City Hall
Live Poll
Should local governments raise taxes if necessary to maintain existing public services in your area?
Mayor Jake Woodford has unveiled the proposed 2027 city budget for Appleton, which features total expenditures of $224.6 million. The plan includes a 1.1% tax levy increase and utilizes $2.5 million from equipment cash reserves to help balance the city's accounts.
Why it matters
The proposal aims to avoid drastic spending cuts while managing rising inflationary pressures across city departments. The budget also accounts for a $310,000 state penalty resulting from a missed audit filing deadline.
The proposed tax levy total is $56.8 million, with an assessed property tax rate of $6.90 per $1,000. Additionally, the budget includes a 4% increase for sanitary sewer rates and a 7.7% increase for garbage cart fees.
The players
Jake Woodford
Jake Woodford is the Mayor of Appleton and is responsible for introducing the city's annual financial and policy plans.
The details
To manage rising costs, the city is transitioning from using its operating budget to borrowing money for vehicle and equipment purchases. The plan covers a 3% pay raise for nonunion employees and addresses a 9% surge in health insurance expenses.
Timeline
October 29, 2026: Budget listening session at City Hall.
November 4, 2026: Public hearing on the proposed budget.
November 11, 2026: Scheduled city council vote on the budget.
Political Context
Opponents of the budget may point to the $310,000 state penalty as a sign of administrative inefficiency within the Finance Department. Critics are also likely to challenge the decision to shift toward borrowing for equipment purchases rather than maintaining traditional funding models.
Residents should expect higher monthly costs for essential services due to the proposed 4% increase in sanitary sewer rates and the 7.7% garbage fee hike. Property owners may also see adjustments in their tax bills based on the proposed levy increase.
The takeaway
The proposed budget reflects the city's struggle to balance rising operational costs against a restricted tax base. Residents can prepare for upcoming service rate changes by reviewing the full budget details ahead of the scheduled council vote.
What happens next
The city council will hold a public hearing on the budget on November 4, 2026, followed by a final vote on November 11, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local government operations, visit the City Hall section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Post-Crescent.
Live Poll
Should local governments raise taxes if necessary to maintain existing public services in your area?
