Tax levy up by less than 0.5%
By Robert Cloud
While Waupaca County will see their tax rate drop, they may see a slight increase in their tax bill.
County supervisors approved the 2022 budget at its Nov. 9 meeting.
The county’s tax rate will drop from $6.70 per $1,000 in equalized property value in 2021 to $6.24 per $1,000 in 2022.
The tax levy, however, is increasing by less than 0.5% to $29.26 million in 2022.
Total equalized values in Waupaca County rose about 8%, to $4.69 billion, which accounts for most of the increased levy.
“Although Waupaca County experienced an increase in equalized values, the increase for net new construction remains low at $268,365 or 1.12%,” according to county Finance Director Heidi Dombrowski.
County tax levies in 2022 include $24.14 million for the general operating budget, $3.94 million for debt service and $6,935 for the veterans relief fund.
The 2022 budget also includes $53,000 for bridge maintenance.
In addition to property taxes, the county will receive $13.3 million in state revenues in 2022, a drop of 7.55% from the $14.4 million received in 2021.
Waupaca County also received funds from intergovernmental services, primarily for road work and snow plowing for towns and villages.
The county budgeted nearly $14.548 million for its intergovernmental services 2022, an increase of 1.55% over 2021.
More than 19% of the county’s total revenues come from its intergovernmental services.
County sales taxes are projected to reach $4.5 million in 2022.
Sales tax revenues in 2021 were projected at $4 million and reached $4.45 by the end of October.
2022 expenditures
• $8.26 million for general government operations, which includes county clerk, courts, judges, clerk of courts, district attorney, the medical examiner, information technology, register of deeds, treasurer and corporation counsel.
• $13.74 million for public safety, which includes law enforcement and emergency management.
• $22.25 for public works, which includes solid waste and highways.
• $14.83 for Health and Human Services, which includes DHHS and the veterans service officer.
• $2.23 million for culture, recreation and education, which includes library aids, UW Extension and Parks and Rec.
• $3.94 million for debt service.
• $2.43 million for conservation and development, which includes Land and Water, and Zoning and Lanning.
• $7.6 million for capital outlay, which includes long-term investments in equipment and infrastructure.
• $4.68 million for other.
Waupaca County has outstanding debt of $25.6 million.
With a population of just over 52,000, the debt burden is $490 per person and 0.53% of the county’s total equalized value.