The Pleasant Prairie Village Board approved the 2026 General Government Budget on November 24. The budget establishes funding for operating costs, capital projects, debt service, special revenue, reserve funds, and impact fee-supported improvements. The 2026 property tax levy is set at $21.8 million, increased from $21.3 million in 2025. The levy reflects community growth and a transfer from the General Government Capital Fund. The estimated tax rate is $4.01 per $1,000 of assessed value. A median-valued home assessed at $373,000 will have an estimated Village tax of $1,496 in 2026, an increase of about $25 from 2025.
General Government operating revenues increased by about $635,000. Property taxes remain the largest source of revenue, accounting for 64 percent, followed by intergovernmental revenue at 16 percent, and charges for services at 8 percent. These three sources total about $21.8 million, or 88 percent of all General Government operating revenue. General Government operating expenses increased, with wage adjustments totaling about $465,000, and benefit costs, including health insurance premiums, rising by about $236,000. Public safety accounts for 60 percent of the operating budget, or about $15.4 million. Public works total $3.9 million, followed by general government at $4.2 million.
The budget includes $153,000 in recurring decision packages and $365,000 in one-time items. Recurring items include a reclassified position to the Village Clerk’s office, a subscription for police and fire policy management, seasonal park and landscaping hours, and additional license plate reader technology. One-time items include park maintenance projects, facility improvements, and extra support for a four-election year. The budget will use reserve funds for one-time items, resulting in an estimated 2026 year-end reserve balance of $11.5 million.
The Village Board also approved the $5.8 million Capital Budget. Major projects include $2.8 million for the road paving program, $540,000 for replacement of fuel storage, $500,000 for engineering to reconstruct Highway 165, and $464,000 for police vehicle replacements. Capital funding also includes $400,000 for reconstruction design work on 93rd Street. Impact fee-supported projects include engineering for a storage building expansion and partial funding for Pickleball courts at Ingram Park.
“Village resources in the 2026 budget align with service demands and community priorities,” stated Finance Director Kathy Goessl. “The plan supports core operations and addresses identified needs across departments to maintain established service levels.”