September 2026
Stay up to date with news for municipalities and school districts!
Market Commentary
With summer firmly in the rearview mirror, financial markets are entering the final stretch of the year, balancing a still-healthy economy against inflation pressures that continue to influence interest rate expectations. Those broad forces converged last week as the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increased the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points (0.25%) to 3.75%–4.00%. The decision was unanimous among voting members and represented a shift from an earlier wait-and-see posture
2026 Levy Limit Workshops
Every fall, Wisconsin municipalities face the same task — completing the levy limit worksheet correctly. Done right, it protects your community’s full levying authority. However, mistakes can permanently cost your community levy capacity. Given the importance of completing this task, Ehlers is pleased to once again provide in person and virtual levy limit workshop sessions. There are a few updates on Section A of the levy limit form for 2026, so it’s important to understand these as well as other applicable adjustments. In addition to covering the levy limit form in detail, Ehlers Municipal Advisors will also walk through the Expenditure Restraint worksheet. There will be a lot of information covered, so please don’t miss the opportunity to attend
Getting Pay ’27 Right
Every fall, Minnesota school districts certify a property tax levy driven by statutory formulas and allowances and enrollment estimates that determine how much local taxpayers contribute to school operations and debt repayment for the year ahead. And every fall, a handful of avoidable errors ripple forward into future levies, producing swings that districts must then explain to property owners. The Pay 27 cycle is no different. With August reporting requirements now in the rearview and certification in full swing, it’s worth revisiting how the levy is actually calculated, where errors tend to creep in, and what districts can do now to protect accuracy
