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

What it does

Under state law, the increase in the levy of the City of New Berlin for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2027, is limited to 0.762%, which results in a levy of $38,484,163. Shall the City of New Berlin be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2027, and on an ongoing basis, for the purpose of increasing staffing in the police and fire departments and to purchase an additional vehicle and equipment to support those additional personnel, by a total of 8.11%, which results in a levy of $41,606,312, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $3,122,149.00 in the base levy for each fiscal year going forward?

A YES vote means

New Berlin could exceed its state levy limit for 2027 by raising its levy 8.11%, from $38,484,163 to $41,606,312, for more police and fire staff and a vehicle and equipment for them, keeping the $3,122,149.00 increase in the base levy every year going forward.

A NO vote means

New Berlin's 2027 levy increase would stay limited to 0.762%, for a levy of $38,484,163.

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 New Berlin Common Council approved placing this public safety referendum on the ballot at its August 13, 2026 special meeting, according to the city.

The city says the $3,122,149 a year would pay for 12 full-time firefighter/paramedics, a division chief and three lieutenant-to-captain promotions in the Fire Department, and three full-time officers, two part-time police service aides and a contracted crisis worker in the Police Department.

The city breaks the cost into $2,948,349 for salaries and benefits and $173,800 for equipment, and estimates the tax impact at $41.60 per $100,000 of assessed value.

The city says that since 2015 New Berlin has added about 400 residential units and 91 commercial buildings, and that state levy limits restrict its ability to fund public safety growth through the regular budget.

Put on the ballot by New Berlin Common Council, special meeting August 13, 2026 (vote not stated by the city).

From official source.

Also on Waukesha County ballots

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

All Waukesha County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of New Berlin mean?

New Berlin could exceed its state levy limit for 2027 by raising its levy 8.11%, from $38,484,163 to $41,606,312, for more police and fire staff and a vehicle and equipment for them, keeping the $3,122,149.00 increase in the base levy every year going forward.

What does a NO vote on City of New Berlin mean?

New Berlin's 2027 levy increase would stay limited to 0.762%, for a levy of $38,484,163.

How many votes does City of New Berlin 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 New Berlin?

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.