Residents of Wauwatosa can expect to maintain their biweekly yard waste collection without switching to a subscription model, as the Common Council adopted the city's 2026 operating budget on Tuesday, November 18. Services will see slight changes, with the number of collections shifting from 13 to 11 cycles a year, and new optional yard waste carts will be made available for purchase, details of which are to come in 2026, according to the City of Wauwatosa's announcement.
Contending with state revenue limits, the budget also calls for cost-saving measures in public safety, specifically within the Fire Department. One firefighter position will remain unfunded, a decision expected to save $110,000 and managed through attrition. "At times, an engine may be temporarily unavailable because there aren’t enough firefighters to staff it," stated the City of Wauwatosa, a situation also known as a "brownout."
On the technology front, Wauwatosa will continue its investment in public safety tech, allocating $170,000 towards a new 10-year contract with Axon for body-worn, squad, and interview room cameras. Additionally, the Police Department will acquire a second drone for $8,400 to ensure continuous aerial coverage during extended operations, with their current drone having demonstrated effectiveness in various critical situations.
Breaking down the costs, homeowners with property assessed at an average value will pay roughly $192.65 per month for city services. This includes everything from emergency response and Public Works services to library resources. The operating budget doesn't cover recent city developments, such as the potential fire merger with West Allis, the aftermath of the August 2025 flood, or planned city hall renovations, as these issues were not factored in before the budget was finalized, according to the City of Wauwatosa.
