City of Muskego — referendum to exceed the levy limit (public safety services) (Waukesha County)

What it does

Under state law, the increase in the levy of the City of Muskego for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2027, is limited to 1.593%, which results in a levy of $14,732,877.00. Shall the City of Muskego be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2027, for the purpose of improving public safety services in the City of Muskego, which, are the City’s Police, Fire, EMS, Rescue, and Public Works services, including staffing and support for those services, by a total of 40.047%, which results in a levy of $20,632,877.00, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $5,900,000.00 for each fiscal year going forward?

A YES vote means

Muskego could exceed its state levy limit for 2027 by raising its levy 40.047%, from $14,732,877.00 to $20,632,877.00, for police, fire, EMS, rescue and public works services and staffing, keeping the $5,900,000.00 increase every year going forward.

A NO vote means

Muskego's 2027 levy increase would stay limited to 1.593%, for a levy of $14,732,877.00.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The city says the roughly $5.9 million a year would create a municipal Fire/EMS Department and add staffing in the Police and Public Works departments, and the increase would stay in the levy in future years.

The Common Council adopted Resolution #056-2026 placing the question on the ballot on August 4, 2026; Mayor Rick Petfalski then asked the council to adopt revised language at an August 24 special meeting, according to the meeting packet.

The mayor's memo says the revision names the specific departments in response to opponents' concern that "public safety" was too broad, and replaces estimated figures with final Department of Revenue levy numbers.

The city estimates the cost at about $0.98 per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $500 a year on a $512,000 home, and says early-year surpluses during the five-year phase-in would be reserved for public-safety needs.

Put on the ballot by Muskego Common Council, August 4, 2026 (Resolution #056-2026; language revised at August 24, 2026 special meeting; vote tallies not posted).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

Also on Waukesha County ballots

• City of New Berlin — referendum to exceed the levy limit (police and fire staffing)

All Waukesha County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Muskego mean?

Muskego could exceed its state levy limit for 2027 by raising its levy 40.047%, from $14,732,877.00 to $20,632,877.00, for police, fire, EMS, rescue and public works services and staffing, keeping the $5,900,000.00 increase every year going forward.

What does a NO vote on City of Muskego mean?

Muskego's 2027 levy increase would stay limited to 1.593%, for a levy of $14,732,877.00.

How many votes does City of Muskego need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Muskego?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.