Whitefish Bay’s 2027 Budget: Water Rates, Klode Park and Upcoming Street Work

Whitefish Bay’s Village Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed 2027 budget at 6 p.m. Monday, November 16, 2026, at Village Hall, 5300 N. Marlborough Drive. The packet also includes future water-main routes and final design review for Klode Park’s replacement warming house.

The finance director’s budget summary, pages 4–6, outlines a 2.96% increase in the village tax levy and a proposed municipal tax rate of $4.06 per $1,000 of assessed value. That is the village rate, not the combined rate for every taxing body on a property-tax bill.

Water rates change December 1

The memo reports that the Wisconsin Public Service Commission approved a 22.48% overall water-rate increase in an October 20 decision. The new rates take effect December 1, 2026 and would appear on residents’ first bill in 2027. This water-rate approval is separate from the upcoming village budget vote.

The proposed 2027 budget includes no sewer or stormwater rate increase.

First water-main and lead-service replacements planned for 2027

The budget summary identifies the first roughly one-mile replacement program on North Shoreland Avenue from East Devon Street to East Lake View Avenue and North Hollywood Avenue from East Henry Clay Street to East Courtland Place.

Proposed routes for 2028

A separate public works memo, pages 38–40, recommends North Kent Avenue from East Devon Street to East Lakeview Avenue and North Cumberland Boulevard from North Lake Drive to East Hampton Road for 2028 water-main, water-service and street-resurfacing work.

The proposed work covers about 1.08 miles of water main and 186 lead service lines. The Public Works Committee recommended the scope on November 9; the Village Board is scheduled to consider it November 16. These are planning routes, not current road closures.

Klode Park and Silver Spring parking

The draft budget anticipates replacing the Klode warming house in 2027. Staff expects construction to reduce the Fourth of July spectator footprint while still allowing the event to proceed. Read the warming house design update.

The budget also assumes eliminating parking-meter revenue and expenses. A final change to parking requirements still needs confirmation; follow current signs and payment instructions. Read the Silver Spring parking update.

For the full agenda, draft resolutions and staff reports, see the November 16 Village Board packet. The budget and design items described as proposed have not been reported here as adopted.