The latest data available is for the 2023 budget because we obtain it from the DOR, which requires all the budgets to have been approved.  That doesn't happen until later, of course.  I say "likely" because it's not guaranteed, but very probable.  Tax rates across the state are dropping because levy limits combined with rapidly expanding tax bases. It's also possible that some counties that receive more proportional shared revenue could lower their rate more than normal.  I suspect we'll maintain our position, or maybe move to third-lowest at worst, so this is still a good stat to point out.

Justice and Law Enforcement Program:

The 2025 Executive Budget allocates its greatest portion of new County tax levy, of $3.5 million, and Shared Revenue, of $2.1 million, to support law enforcement.

• Sheriff’s Department, $2.8 million in new tax levy and $1.5 million in Shared Revenue to support operations, provide relief for jail inmate capacity, and cover an increase of over $1 million in jail medical services to inmates.
• Emergency Preparedness, which includes emergency dispatch operations for the Sheriff’s Department and 34 municipalities, receives $450,000 of additional levy to covers personnel cost increases and the loss of grant dollars.
• Circuit Courts and the District Attorney’s Office, $200,000.
• The Medical Examiner’s Office, $65,000 to support rising costs of operations.

“In our 2025 budget, we were forced to cut two sheriff deputy positions and make additional reductions that will impact the level of service our county provides. Despite already having the lowest per capita spending of any county in Wisconsin, we cannot continue to cut our way out of this fiscal situation without putting public safety at serious risk. We’re urging state lawmakers to address the shortfall of funding to local governments,” Farrow added.

Health and Human Services:  

The County would invest $97,000 in HHS. The County’s largest department delivers essential services to our community by providing mental health services, protecting at-risk children and adults, ensuring veterans receive the benefits they’re entitled to, combating the opioid crisis, and serving clients in many other essential areas.

Infrastructure:

The 2025 Capital Budget totals $43.7 million, a $9.2 million decrease from the 2024 budget. 

• $5 million toward the rehabilitation of CTH O (Moorland Road), between CTH ES (National Avenue) and CTH D (Cleveland Avenue) in the City of New Berlin as part of a multi-year effort to improve multiple segments along one of the County’s busiest highways. 
• $1.5 million to replace a salt dome which collapsed earlier this year.
• $20.4 million for the Courthouse Project Step II, which will renovate the 1959 Courthouse to enhance security, refurbish the East/West wing on the 2nd floor and the existing County Board space.
• The County continues to evaluate the future sale of two key County-owned properties, Huber Facility on Northview and UW-Waukesha Campus closer to being on the tax rolls.

About the 2025 Waukesha County Budget 

The 2025 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.