🚨 Shorewood: Brace for Big Tax & Fee Hikes 🚨

🚨 Shorewood: Brace for Big Tax & Fee Hikes 🚨

On Sept. 15, trustees will vote to sell the Oakland parking lot for $1M+ below market value — right before budget season kicks off. Here’s what’s coming our way:

📈 Property Taxes: +13.9% by 2026*
💸 Debt Payments: +112% by 2028 vs. 2025
🔴 Funding Gap: $2.12M shortfall in 2028
🚰 Lead Pipe Replacements: $2,000 per household (could double)
🏫 School Taxes: +11.8% in 2025/26
💧 Sewer Rates: +40% this year, +50% more ahead

Meanwhile, the Spoerl “affordable housing” project gets:

💰 A $330,000 developer bounty
📈 A 9.5% rate of return
❌ Only 13 units priced below the lowest Shorewood market rents (≈30 people total)

👉 Trustees could return unused TIF money — over $1M to schools and $546K to the Village — but instead, they’re backing the Spoerl deal.

📅 Attend the September 15 board meeting, 7 p.m. at Village Hall, to express your opinion.
* Assumes fund balance is maintained (9.2% increase if not).

No matter how the meeting goes, let’s fill the room, stand together, and speak respectfully.

Data sources:
2026 Budget Development – Financial Outlook & Next Steps
https://www.villageofshorewood...

Village of Shorewood Long Range Financial Plan 2026 - 2035
https://www.villageofshorewood...

16 June 2025 board meeting packet, Spoerl Development Application
https://www.villageofshorewood...