Hartland — The Village of Hartland Village Board on Nov. 10 approved the 2026 budget package and related measures, including a modest bump in utility and property-tax revenue that officials said is intended to avoid larger increases later.

Trustees voted unanimously to adopt a $9,974,076 municipal general fund budget, a $2,325,752 water budget and a $2,264,679 sewer budget as presented in the 2026 budget book. The board also approved several TIF budgets, a $2,304,977 debt-service budget and capital and special-revenue funds totaling $4,029,670, producing a total village expenditure budget of $21,045,610.

Staff said state aid returned to expected levels and recommended a performance-based pay approach (roughly a 3% average increase for nonunion staff), while the police union had requested a roughly 4% increase. ‘‘We’re trying to avoid large single increases by making smaller, predictable adjustments,’’ Ryan, who presented the budget, said during the discussion.

The board approved a resolution setting the sewer utility rate for 2026 at $9.22 per 1,000 gallons, up from $8.78 — a roughly 5% annual increase the village has applied in recent years. Officials said that change equates to about an $8 quarterly increase for an average household.

The board also authorized a property tax levy of $7,392,828. Staff said the levy raises the village rate from $3.85 to $3.88 per $1,000 of assessed value, a 3¢ increase that translates to about $9 a year for owners of a $300,000 home. Trustees emphasized other taxing jurisdictions on the bill — such as school districts and the county — also affect the total tax bill residents receive from the county.

Votes were unanimous on the budget measures and related roll-call items.

Votes at a glance

- 2026 municipal general fund budget: $9,974,076 — approved (unanimous roll call).
- 2026 water utility budget: $2,325,752 — approved (unanimous roll call).
- 2026 sewer utility budget: $2,264,679 — approved (unanimous roll call).
- Sewer utility rate resolution (effective Q1 2026): $9.22 per 1,000 gallons — approved (voice vote).
- TIF No. 4, 6 and 7 budgets: approved (unanimous roll calls).
- 2026 debt service budget: $2,304,977 — approved (unanimous roll call).
- Capital improvements, impact fee and special revenues: $4,029,670; total expenditures $21,045,610 — approved (unanimous roll call).
- Downtown Business Improvement District assessment: $74,800 — approved (unanimous roll call).
- Property tax levy: $7,392,828 (rate rises from $3.85 to $3.88) — approved (unanimous roll call).
- Payroll matrix / job classification list (tab 31): approved (unanimous roll call).

What happens next

Staff will finalize the full budget materials and publish them on the village website; bond and billing processes proceed through county tax distribution as usual.