2019 Recommended Budget Now Available

County lowers tax rate again, lowers deficit and invests in priorities

West Bend, WI – This week, Washington County administration released its 2019 recommended budget for consideration by the County Executive Committee on October 16th at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting includes a public hearing on the budget for members of the community.

The recommended budget reduces the tax rate for the fifth consecutive year despite the proposed $211,790 tax levy increase.  The County’s property tax rate will decline from $2.4901 per $1,000 in 2018 to $2.390 per $1,000 in 2019 – the lowest County tax rate in over a century.  Property owners can determine the impact of the proposed budget by multiplying their assessed property or home value (in thousands) by the tax rate.  The table below shows the calculation for several home value scenarios.

“I am incredibly proud of this budget,” said County Administrator Joshua Schoemann.  “Our commitment to diligently prioritizing taxpayer resources along with strong growth in the County have enabled us to produce a noticeable savings for County residents on their tax bills, a reduction in the County’s budget deficit again and increase spending targeted at addressing some of the County’s top priorities.”

Among these priorities, the County included dollars to study the county’s pay plan and help fund anticipated plan modifications to invest in its human resources and attract and retain a workforce dedicated to service excellence.  The proposed budget continues the implementation of the Parks Fiscal Sustainability Plan, which is designed to eventually make the county parks independent from the county property tax levy.  The Capital Improvement Plan, also funded in this budget, supports the sustainability plans and funding strategies for Economic Development of Washington County (EDWC) and the 2050 Transportation Network Sustainability Plan.

Read more about how the County is advancing its priorities in the 2019 Budget Message and full recommended budget.

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