Local

Acting on a recommendation from the Finance & Personnel Committee, the Middleton Common Council voted to increase dog licensing fees for 2025 because of an increase in fees being charged by Dane County.

Homeowners here will pay slightly less in town property taxes this year as the town board recently approved a tax mill rate fractionally less than last year’s. 

Village property taxes will increase this year by 3.18% or by $83.04 on a $300,000 house, the Village Board unanimously approved on Nov. 25. 

The joint negotiation committee of the City of Middleton and Town of Middleton convened to discuss a corporate boundary plan, focusing on revisions proposed by the city. The meeting, held on November 25th, marked a key step in the cooperative effort to address jurisdictional and developmental concerns between the two municipalities.

Middleton Wildlife photographer Kevin Munson’s presentation at a meeting of The Rotary Club of Madison West Middleton was entitled  “A Walk Through Wonderland - Wildlife in the Middleton Hills Wetlands Conservancy.”  It was an eye opener, revealing the beauty of the creatures sharing the the city with us.

Following 27 minutes of discussion, the Middleton Common Council on Nov 19 rejected a recommended merger between the Middleton Commission on Youth and the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission on a 6-2 vote.

Middleton Common Council members on Nov. 19 approved a 2025 Middleton City Budget that includes a 1% increase in tax levy from the prior year — translating to $2,351.75 in city-purpose property taxes on a median valued home of $416,500.

A Middleton woman who bought the handgun that a neighbor used last February to kill her two children and herself was sentenced on Nov. 14 to 18 months in prison for the “straw purchase” of a firearm. 

At the end of each meeting, The Rotary Club of Madison West Middleton members and guests typically lift their glasses or cups of water, coffee or sugared beverages, offering a salutatory toast to each other. Changing the routine, this week’s toast was fueled by a a bit  of bourbon, provided by product enthusiasts Cory Recknor and Gregg Riek.

As the holiday season approaches, many families in the Middleton community are feeling the impact of rising food prices. This time of year is one for giving, and in the “Good Neighbor City,” there’s no better way to embody this spirit than by supporting those who may be struggling to put food on the table.