WAUKESHA COUNTY EXECUTIVE PAUL FARROW INTRODUCES 2023 EXECUTIVE BUDGET

(WAUKESHA, WI) – On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow introduced his 2023 Executive Budget to the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors.

Keeping residents safe in the fight against crime while supporting continued economic development and conservative stewardship of taxpayer dollars remains top priority. The proposed budget would cut the County tax rate for the ninth consecutive year, including every year County Executive Farrow has been in office. The Board of Supervisors is expected to pass the final budget in November.

“Each year, my goal is to present a budget that aligns with what our residents want: a safe and economically vibrant community, with low taxes, and a high quality of life,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “The 2023 budget will do that with significant investments in law-enforcement, well-maintained roads that support our growing County, and responsible use of every tax dollar.”

If the County Executive’s Budget is passed as-is, the tax rate will drop from $1.68 to $1.52 per thousand dollars of home value, the lowest in at least the last three decades.

The 2023 Waukesha County Executive Budget allocates the greatest portion of new county tax levy to Justice and Public Safety, including over $1.5 million to support those areas.

• The Sheriff’s Department will receive $845,000 to ensure continuation of operations.
• More than $330,000 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 $280,000 to fund operations, with continued prioritization to help address the case backlog created by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other high-profile cases.

The budget invests in infrastructure vital to the safety, economic development, and longevity of roads and facilities. 

• County Trunk Highway (CTH) infrastructure to promote safety while supporting growing businesses and enhance economic development efforts.
• Support of the Waukesha County Center for Growth’s GROW Fund, a revolving loan fund for business growth, development, and job creation.
• Phase Two of the Waukesha County Courthouse Project, which addresses security concerns, capacity limitations, outdated mechanical systems, and enhanced public accessibility in the Courthouse building built in 1959.

 The 2023 budget also continues to focus on management and implementation of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds.

 About the 2023 Waukesha County Budget

The 2023 Waukesha County Executive Budget is online at www.waukeshacounty.gov/Budget.

 For updates about County programs and events, follow Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow on Facebook at @CountyExecutivePaulFarrow and on Twitter at @WaukeshaCoExec.

Apple Harvest Festival Returns for 35th Season to Retzer Nature Center on Saturday, September 17

The Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Apple Harvest Festival is returning for its 35^th season on Saturday, September 17. Featuring its popular traditions, Apple Harvest Festival includes the apple market – more than a dozen varieties while supplies last – arts and crafts vendors, a beer garden, and live music. For the entire family, there’s self-guided activities across the entire Retzer Nature Center grounds. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Retzer Nature Center located at S14W28167 Madison Street in Waukesha.

“Apple Harvest Festival features all of the reasons that autumn is one of the best times of the year in Waukesha County,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “From our apple market – which features heirloom and special varieties of apples – to treats, activities, music, shopping, and an opportunity to get out in nature, there’s something for everybody.”                                                              

Food & Drink

The Delafield Brewhaus Beer Garden will offer ready-to-eat food and assorted beverages and brews, including ‘Retzer Apple Ale.’ The Apple Market will have a variety of apples from Brightonwoods Orchard and Patterson Orchards, as well as half-gallons of cider and caramel apples for purchase. Waukesha County Technical College’s Baking and Pastry Management students will be baking whole apple pies, whole apple crisps, mini apple crisps, apple “hand pies” (new this year!).

Fun Activities

Visitors can shop arts and crafts vendors, bid on items at the Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Silent Auction, and enjoy a variety of self-guided hikes and educational activities for all ages. Scarecrow Lane kicks off for the season with rows of community-made scarecrows to view, while hikers can enjoy the book Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature along the Story Hike trail. Children will love the fun craft activities, participating in the Passport Expedition, and scrambling on the Wood Climbing Exploration Station along the Discovery Trail. Limited tickets will also be available for Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium shows. 

Know Before You Go
$10 per car - cash only. Pay from your vehicle upon entry to RNC grounds. Card payments are accepted at The Apple Market, Planetarium, Delafield Brewhaus, and more. ATM onsite. Sorry, service animals only.

Friends of Retzer Nature Center members receive free admission with membership card; to become a Friends member, visit www.FriendsOfRetzer.org.

For more info on the festival, building a scarecrow, or volunteering at the event, call Retzer Nature Center at 262-896-8007 and visit www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/AppleHarvestFestival.

Schedule of Activities

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The Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Apple Harvest Festival is returning for its 35^th season on Saturday, September 17. Featuring its popular traditions, Apple Harvest Festival includes the apple market – more than a dozen varieties while supplies last – arts and crafts vendors, a beer garden, and live music. For the entire family, there’s self-guided activities across the entire Retzer Nature Center grounds. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Retzer Nature Center located at S14W28167 Madison Street in Waukesha. 

Waukesha County 2023-2027 Capital Projects Plan Invests in Safe Roads, Parks and Facilities

On Thursday, September 1, 2022, County Executive Paul Farrow submitted Waukesha County’s 2023 – 2027 Capital Projects Plan to the County Board of Supervisors. The Board is anticipated to vote on it during their Tuesday, October 25th board meeting. 

The Capital Projects Plan includes funding for all major projects to be proposed in County budgets over the next five years. It focuses on essential infrastructure projects that support safety and economic development in the community. Residents will notice qualify-of-life improvements to vital transportation corridors, County parks, and safer, more accessible courthouse and County facilities. 

“Waukesha County is using conservative budgeting practices so we can continue our investments in vital infrastructure in spite of challenges due to inflation and a tight labor market,” said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. “We’re prioritizing what’s most important for the long-term health of the community.”

The Plan funds Phase Two of the Waukesha County Courthouse Project, which addresses security concerns, capacity limitations, outdated mechanical systems, and enhanced public accessibility in the Courthouse building built in 1959.

• The building will be renovated in a multiple-phase vertical segment approach to provide newly renovated facilities for all divisions.
• It will improve courtroom and overall building security with an enhanced entryway and three-way separation in all courtrooms.
• It will enhance business operations by improving layout and public access.
• The project will replace inefficient systems nearing the end of their useful life with state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and window systems. New wall, floor, and ceiling finishes will be installed in renovated areas.
• Refined architectural design estimates have been completed this year, and construction is planned to begin in 2023. Project completion is in 2026.

The Plan will also remodel the Mental Health Center to better align with trends in care. This project frees up underutilized space to bring all 24/7 mental health clinical teams under one roof to allow for more synergies and cross-coverage care with inpatient services. This project also allows for the development of a new Crisis Stabilization Unit to help transition patients from inpatient to more appropriate levels of care.

The Plan maintains the County Trunk Highway (CTH) infrastructure to promote public safety, support growing businesses and enhance economic development efforts. Many of these projects support economic development by improving Moorland Road (CTH O), a priority corridor that is key to important existing and future commercial and residential development. The County’s Repaving Program will also support improvements to the transportation network.  

The Plan supports several projects that enhance amenities at Waukesha County Parks.

Plans to construct an underpass for Lake Country Trail bicyclists and trail users at State Highway 67 was initially planned for 2025, but was accelerated to begin in 2023. Waukesha County worked with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to secure funding that would allow for an expedited timeline. This $2.9 million project is largely funded through federal, state, and local partnership funding from the City of Oconomowoc.

The Golf Course Infrastructure Plan will continue to address major infrastructure maintenance needs at Naga-Waukee War Memorial Golf Course in Delafield. The golf course irrigation system was upgraded in 2022. Upgrades in the 2023 – 2027 Capital Projects Plan include HVAC replacement, cart path maintenance, a new clubhouse well, clubhouse roof replacement, and renovation of the clubhouse restrooms and patio pavement.

About the Waukesha County Capital Projects Plan

The first year of the 2023 - 2027 Waukesha County Capital Plan will be included as part of the full Waukesha County Budget. Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow will introduce the full 2023 Budget to the County Board in late September, with final passage expected in November. 

You can find the complete Waukesha County Capital Projects Plan at: www.waukeshacounty.gov/capitalplan.

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September is Juror Appreciation Month

The month of September has been designated by the Wisconsin Court System as a time to recognize the importance of jurors to the American justice system. Co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Court System and the State Bar of Wisconsin, the judges, clerks and attorneys who work in the system year-round have created this opportunity to acknowledge the participation of individuals who are summoned to serve in Wisconsin each year - people who have set aside their work and personal lives to ensure that this cornerstone of American justice perseveres. Whether a juror serves in September or on another date, this is the legal system's chance to call attention to every prospective and sworn jurors contribution and to say "thank you!"

To show our appreciation, a banner will be displayed in the lobby of the courthouse and court staff will wear "We Appreciate Jurors" pins throughout the month. Jurors who appear for service will be offered an assortment of treats. Jurors will also be given a token of appreciation, including a beverage koozies, magnetic chip clip, and phone wallet.

Celebrate Juror Appreciation Month this September

The month of September has been designated by the Wisconsin Court System as a time to recognize the importance of jurors to the American justice system.

Co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Court System and the State Bar of Wisconsin, the judges, clerks and attorneys who work in the system year-round have created this opportunity to acknowledge the participation of  individuals who are summoned to serve in Wisconsin each year - people who have set aside their work and personal lives to ensure that this cornerstone of American justice perseveres. Whether a juror serves in September or on another date, this is the legal system's chance to call attention to every prospective and sworn jurors contribution and to say "thank you!"

To show our appreciation, a banner will be displayed in the lobby of the courthouse and court staff will wear "We Appreciate Jurors" pins throughout the month. Jurors who appear for service will be offered an assortment treats. Jurors will also be given a token of appreciation, and be allowed to choose from beverage koozies, magnetic chip clips or cell phone wallet.