Waupaca OKs city budget

The city of Waupaca plans to levy nearly $4.13 million in property taxes in 2025.

While the 2025 tax levy will be down by $53,000 from 2024, the mill rate will increase by 1.95% in 2025.

Waupaca’s 2025 mill rate is $7.71 per $1,000 of assessed value, compared to $17.54 in 2024.

“Even though we had a decreased overall levy amount, that is due to some impacts from Act 12 that happened a couple of years ago and this is the first year we’re seeing those impacts,” City Administrator Aaron Jenson said during the city’s Dec. 3 budget hearing.

“These impacts were primarily personal property value dropping off the assessment,” Jenson said.

He noted that the city lost $20 million in assessments due to Act 12 and gained $5 million in total real estate assessed value for a total negative impact of $15 million.

The city’s total assessed value has decreased from nearly $626.48 million in 2023 to under $612,32 million in 2025.

Revenues
Waupaca’s total revenues from all sources, including local taxes and state funding, are projects at $8.6 million in 2025, an increase of $435,032 over 2024.

In 2025, municipal aid payments from the state are set to grow with the 2024 state sales tax trends that were approximately 2.3%. This equates to $1.2 million from the state to the city, an increase of $28,585 when compared to 2024.

General transportation aids will increase in 2025 from $559,792 to $644,429 or an increase of $84,637.

Total intergovernmental revenues are projected to increase from $1.96 million in 2024 to $2.19 million in 2025.

Expenditures
Waupaca spends 37% of its tax revenues on public safety. This includes police, fire and EMS, which combined account for approximately $2.33 million.

Public Works represents 23% of the city’s 2025 budget at nearly $3.4 million, while administration, clerk’s office, finance and IT account for 15% of the budget, Parks and Rec 14%, Community Development 6% and the Public Library 5%.

Debt service
In 2025, the city of Waupaca will levy $1.69 million for debt service, an increase of $29,070 (1.7%).