New Berlin homeowners received an unpleasant Christmas gift from New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament and the city council last December with many taxpayers receiving steep property tax increases on their 2026 tax bill.
This past week Mayor Ament and every member of the city council EXCEPT Alderman Dave Maxey voted (5-1) to go to referendum in November asking taxpayers to approve another steep tax increase annually moving forward.
New Berlin claims this referendum is to support police and fire, but the reality is, in the past few years, New Berlin has borrowed over $30 million dollars to construct an under utilized Rec Center (ARC) on National Avenue, renovate The Mayor’s old abandoned elementary school (Hickory Grove) into another community center, and renovate Malone Park. That $30 Million doesn’t even include the increased annual operating costs for staffing, utilities, insurance and other expenses to keep those facilities running.
Mayor Dave Ament never asked the taxpayers of New Berlin if they approved of this massive borrowing for these amenities and millions of additional spending on operating costs. Just the interest on the debt New Berlin incurred for all of these pet-projects of Mayor Ament is about equal to what the city is now asking residents to approve in the referendum.
New Berlin like many communities around SE Wisconsin have played taxpayers for fools. They overspend on massive under-used amenities INSTEAD of funding core services and then when they bust the budget, come asking “we-the-people” to approve exceeding state limits on tax increases with a referendum for Police and Fire. Its a devious tactic because politicians know people would have said “no” to higher taxes for amenities only a fraction of residents use, but “yes” to police and fire.
The truth is New Berlin was aware Police and Fire needed more funding decades ago. My reliable sources say as far back as 2005-2007. Instead of directing money to those core services, Mayor Ament and the “yes men” he has on the City Council (except Alderman Maxie) borrowed the money and went on a spending spree.
New Berlin residents should not reward this irresponsible and devious fiscal mismanagement. They should vote NO on the referendum on November 3rd and force New Berlin to live within its means. Instead of DIVERTING money away from Police and Fire for 20 years, Mayor Ament should tighten the belt to shift money the city already brings in, into appropriate police and fire budgets.
Approving the referendum will only enable the city to do the same thing again. There is more coming down the pipeline. Mayor Ament wants to demolish the Dept. of Public Works garage and spend $12 million on a new structure instead of being judicious and making a few necessary upgrades to the existing facility at a fraction of the cost.
If your kids moved out of the house, bought an expensive luxury vehicle, took exotic vacations, and then came to you asking for money because they can’t afford rent and groceries… you know how you would respond to that irresponsible childish behavior. Its time to hold Mayor Ament and the City of New Berlin to the same standard for their willful fiscal mismanagement of our tax dollars.
New Berlin Taxpayers Alliance 
I am not a New Berlin resident but know many who are. I think New Berlin should recall this Mayor. Milw. and other areas of it are in the same boat. We have elected pupets that are run not by you but by the power above it $$$$ That needs to stop. Yours and Mine but you cannot get people to follow the way to fix it. They will talk, and shout but then go back to their corners. Good Luck!
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You have no skin in the game so I just look at you as a trouble maker. New Berlin knows what is best for New Berlin.
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