Proposed 2022 Waukesha County Budget Cuts Tax Rate For 8th Year

WAUKESHA, WI—Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow’s proposed 2022 county budget would cut the county tax rate for the eighth consecutive year and make public safety and justice both top priorities, according to a county news release.

Farrow introduced his proposed 2022 county budget during Tuesday's County Board of Supervisors meeting.

If the budget is passed, the tax rate will drop from $1.76 to $1.68 per thousand dollars of home value, the lowest in at least the last 33 years, the release said.

The proposal focuses on funding for public safety and justice including over $1.2 million supporting those areas.

• The sheriff’s department will receive $825,000 to support operations.
• More than $215,000 will be allocated to public safety programs, like the Department of Emergency Preparedness, which includes 911 Dispatch.
• Courts and the District Attorney’s Office combined will receive more than $153,000 to fund operations, with additional resources prioritized to help address the case backlog created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The budget invests in infrastructure, which includes:

• Five construction projects planned to improve Moorland Road.
• Phase one of the county’s courthouse project is wrapping up and is expected to finish under budget. In 2022, phase two of the project will begin which includes renovation of the 1959 courthouse building.

“My goal every year is to present a budget that is in line with what residents want: a safe, economically vibrant community, low taxes, and a high quality of life,” said Farrow in a statement. “This budget does that with strong investments in justice and public safety, well-maintained roads that support our growing community, and responsible use of every tax dollar.”

The Board of Supervisors is expected to pass the final budget in November.