Reducing Flooding, Sewer Overflows & Basement Backups Priorities in $193 Million Proposed 2026 Budgets

09/08/25 08:00:am

Contact: Bill Graffin

MMSD Public Information Manager

(414) 225-2077

(Milwaukee, WI) – Overflow reduction and flood management efforts would see a $193 million investment under the 2026 proposed budgets for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). If approved, the spending plans would cost the owner of a $200,000 home an additional $8.20 in 2026 compared to the previous year.

Home Valued at $200,000 Estimated to Pay in 2026:

User Charge	$196.39	(Up $8.48 or 4.5% over 2025)
Tax Bill	$247.14	(Down $0.28 or 0.1% over 2025)
Total	$443.53	(Up $8.20 or 1.9% over 2025)

Public Hearings Scheduled for MMSD 2026 Budgets

MMSD customers are encouraged to provide input on the 2026 proposed budgets through our Contact Us form on the MMSD website or at one of the public hearings listed below.

Monday, September 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at MMSD Headquarters, 260 W. Seeboth, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Monday, October 13, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. at MMSD Headquarters, 260 W. Seeboth, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids. For additional information to request these services, contact the Commission Secretary, Office of the Commission at (414) 225-2264, or write to Office of the Commission, 260 W. Seeboth Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204.

2026 Combined Summary of Revenues and Expenditures

(Dollars in Thousands)

	2024 Actual	2025 Amended Budget	2026 Proposed Budget	Change from 2025 Amended Budget	% Change from 2025 Amended Budget
Sources of Funds
Operations & Maintenance
User Charge Billings	$103,167	$109,187	$113,554	$4,367	4.0%
Milorganite^® Sales (Net)	13,191	11,800	11,800	0	0.0%
All Other Operating Income	6,951	6,602	5,500	(1,102)	-16.7%
User Charge Stabilization Fund Applied (or Contribution)	(800)	0	(1,500)	(1,500)	N/A
Equipment Replacement Fund Applied (or Contribution)	(150)	(150)	(150)	0	0.0%
Surplus Applied	(5,045)	4,234	10,351	6,116	144.5%
Total Operations & Maintenance Funding	$117,314	$131,674	$139,555	$7,882	6.0%
Capital
Tax Levy	112,401	115,772	119,245	3,473	3.0%
Non-member Billings	26,346	27,975	20,952	(7,023)	-25.1%
Interest and Other Income	13,253	1,710	1,920	210	12.3%
Federal and State Aid	27,752	7,483	8,619	1,136	15.2%
CWFL Loans	28,139	55,000	59,000	4,000	7.3%
WIFIA Loans	8,228	28,645	330	(28,315)	-98.8%
District Bonds	95,100	96,000	104,000	8,000	8.3%
Use of (Additions to) Available Funds	58,411	(23,755)	(3,699)	20,056	-84.4%
Total Capital Funding	$369,630	$308,830	$310,367	$1,537	0.5%
Total Sources of Funds	$486,944	$440,504	$449,922	$9,419	2.1%
Expenditures
Operations & Maintenance
Net Division Expenditures	105,995	113,643	120,995	7,352	6.5%
Net Fringe Benefit Expenditures	11,318	14,196	14,496	300	2.1%
Unallocated Reserve	0	3,835	4,065	230	6.0%
Total Operations & Maintenance Expenditures	$117,314	$131,674	$139,555	$7,882	6.0%
Capital
Water Reclamation Facilities	60,617	55,518	67,472	11,954	21.5%
Conveyance Facilities	48,825	38,721	28,226	(10,495)	-27.1%
Watercourse & Flood Mgmt Projects	53,218	33,933	30,529	(3,404)	-10.0%
Other Projects & Programs	106,847	80,043	67,148	(12,895)	-16.1%
Debt Service	100,124	100,615	116,993	16,378	16.3%
Total Capital Expenditures	$369,630	$308,830	$310,367	$1,537	0.5%
Total Expenditures	$486,944	$440,504	$449,922	$9,419	2.1%

Note, totals may not appear to add due to rounding.

To view MMSD's 2026 proposed budgets

MMSD Capital Budget:

The tax levy is the Capital Budget’s primary funding source. The majority of capital expenditures are for improvements and replacements of assets at the water reclamation facilities and in the conveyance system. The capital budget also funds watercourse and flood management projects, the private property infiltration and inflow reduction program, and most of MMSD's green infrastructure work, as well as projects outlined in the 2050 Facilities Plan.

MMSD Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Budget:

User charges are the O&M Budget’s primary funding source. In addition to user charge billings, MMSD has other operating revenue sources. MMSD's second-largest O&M revenue source is from Milorganite® net revenue. The majority of overall expenditures in the O&M Budget include the operating contract with Veolia Water Milwaukee and energy expenditures at the water reclamation facilities. This budget also funds a significant level of machinery and equipment maintenance at the water reclamation facilities, some of the green infrastructure work, expanded information technology initiatives, marketing efforts for Milorganite^®, and expenditures related to MMSD salaries, wages, and benefits.