Where Do Your Property Tax Dollars Go In Oak Creek?

Press release from the City of Oak Creek:

12/13/2022 11:00 AM

Where Do Your Property Tax Dollars Go?

It is that time of year where, once again, we have to pay our property taxes. City officials understand that most people do not like to pay taxes, but that taxes are necessary to sustain a high quality of life, safe neighborhoods, quality roads, and nice parks and recreational amenities, among many other services. This year, the “combined” tax rate for all taxing jurisdictions decreased $1.69/$1,000 of property value, including the City-only portion decrease of 44 cents/$1,000 of property value. The City’s goal with this communication is to provide additional information to our taxpayers about how your property tax dollars are spent. Here goes…

The City of Oak Creek is only one of several taxing jurisdictions that share your annual property tax payment. Although the City collects your entire tax payment, the City only retains 29.1% (put another way, 29.1 cents of every tax dollar) for City of Oak Creek operations. Other entities, such as Oak Creek-Franklin School District (OCSFD), Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), and Milwaukee Metro Sewerage District (MMSD) also retain a portion of your annual tax payment. Below, residents can view a breakdown of how the City distributes your property tax dollars among the multiple taxing jurisdictions.

For a more comprehensive look at where your tax dollars go, including an in-depth breakdown of the cost of specific city services, please download the handout below, or pick one up at the City Hall service desk during normal business hours.

City Service Cost Breakdown Handout

This press release was produced by the City of Oak Creek. The views expressed here are the author’s own.