Background
On Friday, September 20, Mayor Esser hosted a meeting of Dane County mayors at Sun Prairie City Hall, followed by a press conference where they discussed the potential for going to referendum in their respective communities. Recent projections for the 2025-2029 period show Sun Prairie’s levy will exceed state-imposed limits starting in 2026. To address this, Mayor Esser shared the strategic planning efforts of the City Council over the last three months to identify sustainable funding sources while continuing to provide high-quality services to the community.
Vehicle Registration Fee
On Tuesday, September 17, the City Council adopted an ordinance implementing a municipal vehicle registration fee in the amount of $30. The fee will be collected by the Department of Transportation along with the state’s annual vehicle registration. Fees collected will be placed in a designated fund for transportation-related projects. Implementation of the fee will generate a consistent revenue stream for road maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and other transportation projects, reducing reliance on property tax revenue. It is set to take effect in February 1, 2025. Specific information on the vehicle registration fee can be found by visit www.cityofsunprairie.com/VRF.
Looking ahead to 2026, the City may seek voter approval of an operating referendum.
Planned 2026 Referendum
If approved by voters, a successful spring 2026 referendum would allow the City to exceed these limits and raise additional revenue to maintain and/or enhance services as the community continues to grow. The referendum will be informed by feedback received from the community following extensive public engagement.
Services Reductions and Efficiencies
As a part of the Financial Roadmap, the City will continue to identify budget efficiencies through various cost-saving measures and possible service reductions. Some of these initiatives have already been implemented, while
others will take effect with the 2025 Budget. These include redirecting unspent dollars to the City’s fund balance and net-neutral revenue sources to be proposed with new ongoing initiatives whenever possible.