Auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on De Pere's 2025 financial statements, reported one finding related to annual report preparation, and highlighted a $10.6 million unassigned general-fund balance (about 46.7% of expenditures). The council accepted the management letter.

City staff presented a wastewater rate study showing multiple scenarios to restore operating reserves and fund capital projects, including an illustrative upfront 12% rate adjustment; staff said reserves have fallen from about 120 days to below 90 days and recommended restoring them to at least 90.

Council members and public-services staff discussed proposals to raise residential solid-waste rates (a $29-per-month proposal was discussed), the utility's 2025 operating shortfall, uncertainty about vehicle lifespans that drive long-term cost estimates, second-tote fees, dumpster options, and the city's decision not to privatize collection.

At a study session, staff presented the proposed FY2026–27 municipal budget and a municipal-utilities (EMA) plan showing $23.1 million in FY27 debt payments and roughly $434 million in total debt; transfers to the general fund and cuts in one‑time grants drove a net revenue decrease of about $2.7 million.

The Milwaukie Budget Committee voted to recommend the city managerproposed $208.9 million biennium budget for 2027and 2028 and left the certified property tax rate unchanged. Committee members directed staff to return with a follow-up review of utility reserve policy and rate-smoothing options tied to a major PFAS treatment project.