Waukesha Current - Fall 2026

City of Waukesha 201 Delafield Street Waukesha, WI 53188

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Connecting Residents to City News, Services, and Safety 2026

FALL

WAUKESHA CURRENT CI T Y

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WAUKE S HA

A Message from Mayor Halvensleben Dear Waukesha Residents, I am honored to serve as the Mayor of Waukesha. I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me, and I am committed to continuing to make Waukesha a great place to live, work, and have fun.

Every day, I am reminded of what a wonderful community this is. I see neighbors supporting one another, local businesses investing in our future, and city staff working tirelessly to provide the services that keep Waukesha safe, vibrant, and thriving. It is this shared commitment that helps build a city where everyone feels connected and valued.

As a downtown resident, I’ve especially enjoyed the many events that make our city so lively from Tribute Tuesday concerts to the Farmers Market and more. As we move into the fall and winter seasons, I’m excited for a new lineup of events, including Oktoberfest and other seasonal favorites that bring our community together.

This fall also marks the start of the City’s budget season. I encourage residents to stay informed and engaged as the Common Council considers plans for the future, including infrastructure improvements and other important investments in our community.

At the same time, it is important to recognize the financial challenges we face. Like many municipalities across Wisconsin, the City of Waukesha continues to operate under state-imposed levy limits. These limits cap how much property tax revenue a city can increase each year. While intended to provide predictability for taxpayers, they have not kept pace with rising costs, inflation, and growing community needs.

Over the past several years, the City has worked diligently to manage within these constraints by finding efficiencies, pursuing grant opportunities, and carefully prioritizing services. Despite these efforts, costs continue to rise, and the Common Council will face difficult decisions in the years ahead.

Residents are always welcome to attend budget meetings throughout the fall and share their perspectives. We will also continue to keep you informed through our City communication channels, including the weekly e-newsletter, website, and social media.

I look forward to a great fall and winter season and to continuing our work together to keep Waukesha a strong and vibrant community.

Sincerely,

Mayor Alicia Halvensleben City of Waukesha

Stay Connected for Important Updates Follow @CityOfWaukesha on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for updates on news, events, and so much more! waukesha-wi.gov/connect Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter to get news and updates right to your inbox! waukeshawi.gov/newsletter

Join the City of Waukesha Team Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community while building your career? The City of Waukesha offers a wide range of opportunities to do just that—right where you live!

From public works and parks to administration, public safety, and beyond, City departments are always looking for dedicated individuals who are passionate about serving the community.

Check out our website for current job openings: waukesha-wi.gov/jobs.

2027 Budget Planning Making informed, fiscally-responsible decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of residents.

The City of Waukesha has officially kicked off its annual budget process, with staff and City leaders already hard at work planning for 2027.

The first step in this process is reviewing the proposed Community Investment Program (CIP) for the next five years. The CIP is a long-range planning tool that helps the City forecast and prioritize major capital needs such as infrastructure improvements, facilities, aǹd equipment based on both community needs and financial projections.

Once the CIP is finalized, attention turns to the General Operating Budget, which funds day-to-day City services. Each City department presents its proposed budget to the Finance Committee. Following these presentations, the Committee makes recommendations to the Common Council for final consideration.

Throughout this year, the City has been gathering resident feedback through an online survey, focus groups, and a budget feedback tool. All this information has been compiled and is being presented to the Common Council along with the budget proposals.

Understanding the Budget Challenges

Like many communities across Wisconsin, the City of Waukesha continues to face ongoing financial challenges tied to stateimposed levy limits. These limits control how much property tax revenue the City can increase each year, based largely on the value of new construction.

While levy limits are designed to provide predictability for taxpayers, they have not kept pace with rising costs or economic conditions.

For example:

Public Participation Encouraged

All budget meetings are open to the public. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged by attending meetings in person or watching online.

Meetings are streamed live and recordings are available the following day at: waukesha-wi.gov/meetings.

Over the past years, the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—which measures the average cost of goods and services— has increased by about 2.6% annually, while the City’s allowable property tax levy growth has averaged just 1.2% annually.

The City has continuously worked to reduce expenses, including implementing budget reductions, reviewing programs and programs costs, and making changes to user or license fees.

Despite these efforts, the cost of providing services including labor, fuel, and contracted services continues to rise faster than the City’s ability to increase revenue under current limits.

Looking Ahead

City leaders remain committed to balancing fiscal responsibility with maintaining the high-quality services residents expect. As the 2027 budget process moves forward, transparency and community input will continue to play an important role.

Residents are encouraged to follow along, stay informed, and be part of the conversation.

Talkin’ Waukesha Podcast Do you want to learn more about the ins and outs of the City of Waukesha?

We have a monthly podcast that talks about events, important topics, and key issues residents care about. You can easily stay informed about things going on in Waukesha!

Listen on your favorite podcast platform or stream the episodes on the City’s website: waukesha-wi.gov/podcast

talkin’ waukesha WHERE EVERY CONVERSATION SPRINGS TO LIFE

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Water Softeners & Water Quality

Waukesha is failing to meet it’s mandated chloride limits.

Your action is required.

Despite ongoing efforts to reduce chloride discharge from residential water softeners, the City remains out of compliance with permitted chloride limits. Chloride levels continue to exceed thresholds set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The City has less than four months to achieve compliance or the City will be forced to further regulate softeners such as banning salt-based softeners with very limited exceptions.

What You Need to Do

Because water softeners are the main source of chloride, all households and businesses must take one of the following actions. Now that the City is on Lake Michigan Water, it’s important to note that most users do not use water softeners.

Step 1: Remove Your Water Softener A $150 rebate is available for residents who remove their softener unit. There are funds for approximately 700 rebates. Apply for a rebate now, before they run out.

Removing your softener can save you money by eliminating the cost of salt, reducing water use from backwashing, and cutting down the time and effort needed for maintenance. ~OR~ Have Your Softener Professionally Optimized Waukesha Municipal Code §29.08(i) requires softeners to be fully optimized by a certified optimizer company. You cannot optimize your softener yourself. Fully optimized softeners must have optimizations settings and have hardness set to no more than 8 grains. The optimizations must have been completed after October 2023.

Failure to comply with this Municipal Code could result in $376 municipal citation per offense. Each day of non-compliance constitutes a separate violation.

Step 2:

If you are keeping your softener and had it optimized, verify the optimization has been recorded for your address by calling 262-524-3628.

Some optimizations have not been recorded by the optimizer. If your water softener does not have a green sticker on it, your water softener is non-compliant.

Fill out the “No Softener Certification Form” on the City’s website if: A water softener has not been present at your address since October 2023 ~OR~ The water softener was removed and a qualified rebate will not be pursued.

This chart to the left shows the chloride levels measured over time from early 2020 through May 2026.

While chloride levels generally have lowered after the marked “Transition to Lake Michigan Water”, values still fluctuate mostly between about 300 and 420 mg/L. The Permit Limit for water returning to the Fox and Root Rivers is at 400 mg/L.

Have Questions?

For more information about the rebate program or softener optimization, contact the Nate Herr at the Clean Water Plant: Website: waukesha-wi.gov/softener E-mail: nherr@waukesha-wi.gov Phone: 262-524-3628

Scan to Learn More

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waukeshawi.gov/softener

Living in the City of Waukesha What does it mean and why it matters

Choosing where to live is personal. People weigh costs, convenience, schools, neighborhoods, and a lot of other factors.

It’s also true that living in a city— Waukesha included—can come with higher taxes than in surrounding towns or villages.

But those costs show up in ways that shape daily life. They’re reflected in the services you rely on, the condition of your streets, the spaces you spend time in, and the overall sense of community. These are the things that define what it means to live here, and reasons residents can take pride in calling Waukesha home.

A Safe and Responsive Community

Safety is something most people don’t think about until they need it, but it’s one of the clearest benefits of living in the City of Waukesha. With full-time Police and Fire Departments, help is available when it matters most. Response times are fast, and services are consistent.

That level of service takes ongoing investment, and it shows in the results.

Waukesha has been ranked as the 8th safest mid-size city in the country and the safest mid-size City in Wisconsin. Those rankings reflect not just the work of first responders, but the expectations of a community that values safety and accountability.

Confidence in Water Quality

Water service is easy to take for granted, but it’s one of the most essential services the City provides. In Waukesha, water is treated, monitored, and tested every day.

There’s a cost behind that system, but it supports something fundamental: confidence. Residents don’t have to question whether their water is safe. It’s a basic service done well and consistently, and that reliability matters.

Parks, Recreation, and Everyday Access to Outdoor Space

Access to parks and recreation is part of daily life in Waukesha. Whether it’s a neighborhood playground, a trail for walking or biking, or a community program, these resources are widely available and well maintained.

Residents see the benefit directly through reduced rates for recreation programs, making it easier for families, seniors, and individuals to stay active and involved.

These aren’t extras—they’re part of what supports health, connection, and quality of life.

The City’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department has twice received the National Gold Medal Award, but more importantly, residents see the impact in how these spaces are used year after year.

Events, Arts, and Culture That Build Community

Living in Waukesha also means having access to a steady rhythm of community events and cultural opportunities throughout the year. These are the things that bring people out of their homes and into shared spaces.

From Friday Night Live and Tribute Tuesday to farmers markets and seasonal events, these gatherings create opportunities to connect with neighbors and support local businesses. They’re not just entertainment—they’re part of how community is built.

The local arts scene and public events give residents a shared sense of place.

They make the city feel active, connected, and engaged.

A Community Worth Taking Pride In

Reliable Public Works Services

City services are often most visible during difficult conditions—especially in winter.

Snow removal, ice control, and street maintenance are handled by a Public Works team that operates around the clock when needed.

It can take time to reach every street during larger storms, but there is a clear plan and consistent response. Beyond winter, this team maintains roads, manages stormwater, and supports the infrastructure people depend on.

It’s the kind of work that’s easy to overlook when everything is running smoothly—but noticeable when it isn’t.

Living in the City of Waukesha comes with costs, but it also comes with a level of service, access, and reliability that shapes everyday life in meaningful ways.

From safety and infrastructure to parks and community events, these are the things residents experience—not occasionally, but every day. They’re part of what makes the city function well and feel like home.

And it’s not just something we recognize locally. The City of Waukesha was ranked the second most livable community in Wisconsin on the U.S. News & World Report “Best Places to Live” list and No. 86 overall. It’s another reflection of the quality of life residents experience here.

That broader recognition reinforces what many already know: there is real value in living here. And it’s something residents can take pride in every day.

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2026 Elections All the information you need to help you find your polling place, understand Badger Books, and use MyVote Wisconsin.

The 2026 elections are shaping up to be a big year for Waukesha. With two elections already and two more elections scheduled throughout the year, residents will have the chance to help shape leadership at nearly every level of government.

Key offices on the ballot include the U.S. House of Representatives, Wisconsin’s Governor, State Senate and State Assembly, as well as seats on the State Supreme Court. With so much at stake, 2026 is an important year to stay engaged, informed, and ready to vote.

Know Before You Go: Find Your Polling Place

Each year, the City of Waukesha reviews its polling locations to ensure they continue to meet accessibility and operational requirements and that host sites remain available. Locations may change due to facility availability, technology updates, or other factors.

Because of this, it is very important for residents to confirm their polling place before every election. You can quickly and easily verify your voting location by visiting: myvote.wi.gov and clicking “Find My Polling Place.”

Poll workers can use Badger Books to: Assign voter numbers Capture signatures electronically Assist with voter registration In addition to improving efficiency, Badger Books help reduce paper use, lower staffing and overtime needs, and guide poll workers through required procedures to ensure accuracy.

Learn more about Badger Books in our Talkin’ Waukesha Podcast episode with the Clerk’s Office staff. waukesha-wi.gov/podcast

Badger Books do not record votes, they simply replace the paper poll books used to check in voters. This technology allows voters to check in at any station within their polling location, helping to reduce wait times and long lines.

Your Go-To Resource: MyVote Wisconsin

The website myvote.wi.gov is a convenient, one-stop resource for all your voting needs.

Residents can: Register to vote Request an absentee ballot Update voter information View a sample ballot Staying informed and prepared helps ensure a smooth voting experience for everyone. Be sure to check your information ahead of Election Day!

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Polls are open 7am-8pm on Election Day Partisan Primary: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Find your polling place, register to vote, apply for and track your absentee ballot and more at: myvote.wi.gov

Upcoming Scheduled City Office Closures

New Technology: Badger Books

The City has recently implemented Badger Books, an electronic poll book system designed to improve the voter check-in process.

Upcoming Election Dates

The City of Waukesha City Offices are typically open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.

During the upcoming following holidays, City Offices will be closed: Labor Day September 7, 2026 Veterans Day November 11, 2026 Thanksgiving November 26-27, 2026 Thanks to our first responders who will be working over the holidays!

Community Services & Seasonal Updates

Fall Leaf Collection

The fall season will be upon us soon! The City will complete leaf collection starting October 26. The crews will be working their way around the City and plan to pass each home twice. You can track their progress and see when they will be near your home using the interactive map on our website at waukesha-wi.gov/leaves.

All leaves should be raked out by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of your area’s week!

If you miss the collection, crews will not return until the 2nd round.

Collection Schedule - First Round: Area 1: Oct. 26 to Oct. 30 Area 2: Nov. 2 to Nov. 6 Area 3: Nov. 9 to Nov. 13 Please note, the schedule is subject to changes based on leaf volume and weather impacts. Any changes will be communicated on the City’s website and social media*

Crews will go as far as they can each day and continue from where they left off the next day. If crews have already passed your home during this round, they will not return until the second round. Second round dates will be announced after the first round is complete.

The Drop-Off Center (located at 750 Sentry Drive) will accept leaves at no charge from City of Waukesha residents during fall leaf collection. Check the City website for dates and times at waukesha-wi.gov/leaves.

Downtown Parking Reminders Downtown offers a variety of convenient parking options, including parking ramps, surface lots, and on-street spaces. To avoid citations, be sure to read and follow all posted parking signs and regulations wherever you park.

Free Parking Options On-street parking: Free for up to two hours during daytime hours.

Downtown parking ramps: Free for up to two hours.

City-owned downtown parking lots: Free for up to three hours.

Parking Beyond the Free Time Limit If you plan to park longer than the allotted free period or plan to park overnight, payment is required. Parking can be paid for by using the QR codes or website information posted on the parking signs or by visiting waukesha-wi.gov/parking.

New License Plate Parking Enforcement The City's downtown parking ramps have transitioned to a license plate recognition system that tracks parking payments electronically. This technology allows the City to verify whether vehicles have paid for parking after exceeding the free parking period.

Beginning this fall, the same technology will be introduced at additional downtown parking lots. Vehicles parked beyond the free time limits, without payment, will receive a citation.

Learn More For complete information on downtown parking regulations, permits, and parking locations, visit waukesha-wi.gov/parking.

Paper Shredding Event

Have confidential papers to discard? Join us for the City of Waukesha's Paper Shredding Event on Saturday, September 5 from 9:00 a.m. to11:00 a.m. at the DropOff Center (600 Sentry Drive).

A professional shredding company will be on-site to collect and shred your papers, which will then be properly recycled.

Paper only (no digital media, plastics, or other materials accepted).

Cost: $7 for up to 3 banker’s boxes. (maximum 12 boxes per vehicle. Cash only.)

This event is open to residents from any community for personal use (no businesses).

Many Ways to Pay Your Water Bill A few years ago, the Waukesha Water Utility transitioned to a new, user-friendly, online billing and payment solution offering more ways to view and pay your bill.

The system offers options for: Paperless billing AutoPay Pay by text Pay by phone Scheduled payments And more!

Visit the Waukesha Water Utility website (waukesha-water.com) and click on "Pay My Bill" to register your account. You will be able to view step by step instructions on setting up these new features.

Have Questions?

Call the Water Utility at 262-5215272 or send an email to contactus@waukesha-water.com

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Fall Safety Tips from Waukesha Public Safety Back to School Safety With the school year starting again, the Waukesha Police Department reminds you to be mindful of children crossing the roadways.

Here are a few safety procedures and laws regarding school buses: It's illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

Flashing yellow lights alert motorists that buses are preparing to stop.

Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate that traffic moving in both directions of an undivided roadway must come to a stop, and may not pass the bus for any reason until the stop sign is retracted.

When warning flashers are blinking in a school zone, vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks or at intersections.

Bus stops are typically dark in the morning, particularly during winter months. Therefore, keeping speeds down and watching for pedestrians is critical.

Buses make frequent stops, so take extra caution when following a bus.

Home Heating Safety Cooler weather will be here soon and we will be cozied up indoors. Fall and winter are also the seasons when carbon monoxide (CO) risks increase.

The Waukesha Fire Department wants to remind everyone to have carbon monoxide producing devices such as furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces inspected by a professional, before the cooler weather hits.

In addition, a carbon monoxide detector should be installed on every level of your home.

Remember, carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly. Regular testing can save lives! If you have any questions or concerns about carbon monoxide, please contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 262-524-3648.

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Drug Take-Back Program Have unwanted or expired prescriptions?

Did you know?

You can drop them off at the Waukesha Police Department (1901 Delafield St.) in their drug disposal box which is located in the lobby or you can participate in the Drug Take-Back Day in October.

This helps to keep medications out of the wrong hands and out of the water supply.

Keeping Our Community Clean It is never ok to leave a mess of items at the curb and it is a violation of City ordinance.

Keeping our community clean and safe is a shared responsibility and that includes how we dispose of unwanted items.

Leaving furniture, mattresses, appliances, or other debris at the curb without proper arrangements is not allowed and is a violation of City ordinance.

Options for Disposal

If you need to dispose of large or unusual items, there are several options available: Schedule a bulky item pickup through Johns Disposal (for eligible households receiving service from Johns). You can contact Johns at 262-473-4700. There are fees for bulky item pickup that range from $45-$60 depending on the type and number of items.

Rent a dumpster from any dumpster company for larger clean outs or renovation projects.

Hire a private disposal or specialty service for items that require special handling.

Utilize the City’s Drop-Off Center at 750 Sentry Drive, where many materials can be properly disposed of for a fee. (City residents only) Taking one of these steps ensures items are handled responsibly and in compliance with local regulations.

See Something? Report It

If you notice items that have been improperly left at the curb, you can report the issue to the City through the online reporting system at waukeshawi.gov/reportaconcern.

Prompt reporting helps City staff address problems and maintain neighborhood standards.

What Happens After a Report Is Made Once a report is submitted, the City follows a process to ensure fairness and compliance:

1.Property owner notification: The City contacts the property owner and informs them of the violation.

2.Time to correct: The owner is given a specific timeframe to remove the items.

3.City removal (if necessary): If the items are not removed in time, the City will step in to clean up the materials.

4.Cost recovery: The cost of cleanup is billed to the property owner.

Because of this process, it may take some time for reported items to be removed.

We appreciate residents’ patience as we work through each case properly.

By following proper disposal practices and reporting issues when they arise, residents play an important role in keeping Waukesha clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

If you have questions about disposal options or available services, visit the City’s website at waukesha-wi.gov or contact the Department of Public Works at 262-524-3600 for guidance.

Garbage & Recycling Reminders All containers must be out by 6:00 a.m. on pickup day. If the materials are not out on time, the garbage and/or recycling trucks will not return for a late set out.

Labor Day Monday, September 7, 2026 No pickups will take place on Labor Day. All garbage and recycling pickups are pushed back one day with the normal Friday collections taking place on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.

Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 26, 2026 No pickups will take place on Thanksgiving Day. Regular Thursday collections will take place on Friday, November 27 and regular Friday collections will take place on Saturday, November 28.

For updates and pickup schedules visit: waukesha-wi.gov/garbage

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