The door isn’t completely closed, but there isn’t much light left sneaking through.

The Milwaukee Common Council is moving to delay implementation of Mayor Cavalier Johnson ‘s proposed vehicle registration fee (wheel tax) increase by at least one month to line up with the adoption of the remainder of the 2026 city budget. The move would create a $250,000 gap in the proposed budget.

“We are not uncomfortable making hard decisions here,” said committee chair Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic . “But we need time to do that.”

The Finance & Personnel Committee held the proposal Wednesday, making it unlikely that the city would meet a Nov. 3 state deadline to put the increase into effect by February. State law requires a 90-day implementation period.

“This is a $250,000 decision that we’re

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