If a proposed budget ultimately passes, the village of Weston will be spending $1.125 million more in 2027 than it did in 2026.
The village of Weston’s proposed budget includes some $10.79 million, an 11.64% increase from $9.67 million in 2026. That covers village operations, but not capital or utilities.
Staff members say some of that increase includes moving expenses between funds or changes in accounting presentations, but the village also faces a number of increases in its budget.
Everything you need to know about the village of Weston 2027 budget
TIF closure helps: Much like Wausau, the village of Weston closed a TIF district this year. That brings in an additional $732,852 in levy capacity, meaning the amount the village is allowed to add to its property tax levy. The closure also returns the former TIF property value to the regular tax rolls, where it is shared among the village and other taxing jurisdictions. Net new construction adds another roughly $95,000 in levy capacity. Municipalities are typically able to increase their levy based on net new construction, subject to certain exceptions and adjustments.
Fire expenses go up: Weston’s share of funding the SAFER Fire District goes up in 2027. Weston will now spend about $1.9 million instead of $1.48 million, a 28.7% increase. That increase comes largely from the village’s share of SAFER’s three new firefighters. A Weston referendum last spring that would have added $600,000 to the village levy to fund its share of six additional firefighter/paramedics failed at the polls. Weston instead is upping its spending to cover the three additional firefighters it shares with Rib Mountain without adding additional the tax levy that the referendum specifically would have allowed.
Borrowing approval, barely: The Wausonian already reported on this, but the board approved a roughly $13.01 million borrowing package by the narrow vote of 4-3. It covers two years of capital borrowing, as Weston does its borrowing in two-year increments. That came after the original $13.11 million proposal failed — Barb Ermeling voted in favor of the revised package after $100,000 for pedestrian bridge lighting was removed. The borrowing debate sparked a bigger conversation about how much the village is spending and how much flexibility staff should have. There was also talk about work deferrals, but staff cautioned that could eventually lead to reduced state transportation aid.
Garbage could cost you more: Weston officials are considering an increase to the fee it charges Weston residents for garbage and recycling. That’s because fuel costs are increasing and the village’s garbage fund is running down. Right now the village charges $205.50 — but increases to $225, $230 or $236 are being considered. The board could take up the final rate at its Oct. 19 budget workshop.
Sewer too?: The regional treatment provider is expected to charge Weston about $100,000 more in 2027. Treatment plant upgrades could add even more pressure. Neither the board nor staff discussed any specific rate of increase, though staff has said a sewer rate increase is likely.
The village aims to pay its employees more: The village board at its Oct. 5 meeting approved increases to employee pay. The plan provides a 1% increase and directs additional money toward employees whose pay is below market, with performance reviews also used in determining how the money is distributed. The option the board chose would add $156,520 to the budget. The board also separately approved a 2% increase in the village’s pay scale. That adjustment changes the pay ranges but does not automatically give employees another 2% raise.
Net new construction dropped again: The net new construction in the village of Weston has dropped again for 2026, the third straight year it has done so. That comes after an enormous spike in 2022 and 2023.
Health insurance costs skyrocketed: Village staff put together the budget assuming health care premiums would increase 10%. Instead, the renewal came in 19.9% higher. Staff members are hoping to make some plan adjustments to stay within the budgeted 10% increase instead.
Reserves are getting a little high: Members of the board and Finance Committee are considering using some of the village’s reserve funds for one-time projects. The village had $3.63 million in available reserves at the end of 2025, equal to about 37.6% of the following year’s operating budget, above the village’s typical target of between 20% and 33.33%. Nothing there has been approved yet.
Weston’s budget challenges echo those of other municipalities, in that everyone is facing rising costs while revenue has not kept pace.
Unlike Wausau or Marathon County’s budgets, though, Weston hasn’t yet disclosed a finalized overall village tax rate. That typically changes as the budget is refined and things are added or removed. Staff has hinted that the rate will drop, but that likely won’t come out until at least the Oct. 19 meeting.
As we’ve pointed out in our other budget pieces, a dropping tax rate doesn’t necessarily mean your tax bill will drop. The total tax bill contains shares from the county, municipality, school district, technical college and other taxing jurisdictions. And outside of that, changes in property values can impact the bill as well.
Still, the rate going down is always better than it going up, from the tax bill perspective.
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