New Berlin Delays ATV referendum,Cites Budget concerns
NEW BERLIN,WI – The New Berlin Common Council on Tuesday postponed a decision on a potential public safety referendum,including one related to allowing All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) on city streets,to prioritize finalizing the 2026 city budget. The move comes as city officials grapple with increasing expenses and limited revenue growth under Wisconsin’s levy limit laws.
Discussion of ATV use on city streets had previously been considered, but council members noted infrastructure differences and needs compared to other areas. Limiting factors, such as restrictions on county trunk highways and safety concerns, also remain. Any ordinance would require input from the police, fire, engineering, and public works departments. Mayor Dave Ament suggested returning the matter to the Safety Commission, stating, “They are the staff that should be doing stuff like that. We have police, fire, DPW, engineering – let them take the lead.”
The delay is largely driven by the city’s ongoing budget challenges. Finance Director ralph Chipman has outlined a growing gap between rising expenses and limited revenue. In 2024, the city’s net new construction rate was 0.62%, while inflation exceeded four times that rate, creating a $1.2 million shortfall. Chipman warned that this gap “compounds” over time.
Public safety currently accounts for 38% of the city’s $54.5 million budget, with another 31% allocated to legally required obligations like debt service and library operations. The property tax levy,the city’s primary revenue source,is capped by state law and can only increase with new construction. Projected growth for 2025 is just 0.1%, equating to $31,650 in new revenue - insufficient to cover inflation and service demands.
City officials have cautioned that without additional revenue, the 2027 budget will likely necessitate service cuts. A recent city memo recommended re-evaluating the first phase of the Fire Department staffing plan and reconsidering police staffing levels due to financial constraints.
While exceeding levy limits through a referendum remains a potential option, the council decided to defer any decision until the 2026 budget is approved.
