Washington Co., WI – As local government bodies prep for multiple referendum tax increases on the November 8, 2022 ballot, neighbors are asking for the data on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
The money was distributed across the U.S. by the federal government. Click HERE for a link if you would like to see the local dollar amounts awarded to the county, cities, towns and villages across Washington County.
Click HERE for details on guidelines for using ARPA funding
According to the data:
- Washington County received $26,423,010 in ARPA funds.
- On the November 8, 2022 ballot Washington County is asking for $3.6 million more annually from taxpayers to fund an anti-crime safety plan. The referendum question is asking voters to approve a permanent 10% tax increase.
- County executive Josh Schoemann said the county could fund the anti-crime safety plan itself. If the referendum fails, Schoemann said the county will still fund stopping crime.
- Schoemann said if the referendum doesn’t pass, “we keep doing what we’re doing. Can we move some things around 100%.
- Schoemann said, “Are people in a difficult situation, 100%. There is nothing simple about the referendum question – it is convoluted as possible.”
- During neither the Public Safety Committee meeting nor the full county board meeting in August 2022 were plans or data provided regarding the anti-crime safety plan. Supervisors asked county executive Josh Schoemann for staff comparisons in neighboring counties, current crime statistics, a breakdown on the increase in crime and types of crime, etc. A Sheriff’s report from 2017 was provided.
- No current analysis, study, statistics on crime were provided and no study committee or taskforce, similar to what was established to determine a course of action for the Samaritan Home, was ever completed.
- After the November 8, 2022 election, the county will determine whether a tax increase is needed for the 2023 budget.
- On July 2, 2022 the State of Wisconsin announced it will receive more than $400 million settlement in an opioid lawsuit. Washington County had three lawsuits pending. Washington County will receive a portion of that settlement.
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Graph courtesy Wisconsin Department of Health Services – click HERE for the full DHS report
ARPA funding graph below shows Washington County receiving $26.4 million. How much more funding did your community receive?
The City of West Bend is receiving $3,303,653.59 in ARPA funding. That money could be used for road maintenance.
Pending increases for West Bend taxpayers:
- Coming up in 2023 there will be a citywide revaluation where homes and businesses are reassessed to bring values up to current market prices. That revaluation will impact property taxes.
Below is the ARPA funding for each municipality in Washington County, WI.
Earlier this month property and business owners were notified by We Energies about a price hike coming in gas, electric, and steam in January 2023. The increase is estimated at 8.4%.
There are multiple other referendums on the November 8, 2022 ballot.
Wording has yet to be received for a road referendum in the Town of Erin and an advisory referendum on refuse and recycling collection in the Town of Jackson.
UPDATE: The Village of Richfield had been considering an $800,000 referendum for each fiscal year going forward. During a meeting August 25, 2022 the Village Board voted down placing it on the November 8, 2022 ballot. Communication Form RVFC Referendum
Village of Germantown referendum below
The Germantown Village Board of Trustees voted to place a referendum question on the November 8 ballot asking voters whether the Village should enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Village of Richfield to sell water and sanitary sewer service to customers in a portion of Richfield located between Interstate 41, Holy Hill Road, Highway 175 and Pleasant Hill Road.
Under the terms of the IGA, the Village of Richfield would be responsible for bearing all costs associated with the expansion of service to customers in Richfield, require Richfield to construct infrastructure in accordance with Germantown specifications and provide protections against future encroachment on Germantown water and sewer services. The IGA also sets the rates for potential future Richfield customers, with sewer rates set at 120% of the rates charged to Germantown ratepayers and water service rates, which are regulated by the Public Service Commission, set at the same rate as Germantown ratepayers.
Moraine Park Technical College referendum to appear on Washington County ballot Nov. 8.
Another referendum for Washington County residents is below.
Also, cities, towns, school districts, and villages are currently working to set their tax rate for 2023. So far, the City of West Bend is looking at a 50-cent increase per $1,000 of property value.
This is a working story, and more information will be posted as details become available.
