Net Property Tax Increases Statewide to Top 4%
Wistax Provides First Estimate of 2009-10 Levy

MADISON—Wisconsin’s net property tax levy statewide is on track to rise about 4.2%, according to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX). The nonpartisan policy research organization reports that school levies are up the most (6.0%), followed by technical colleges (3.9%) and counties (3.2%). The small state tax is down about 0.5%.

The remaining unknown is municipal property taxes. Partial receipt of actual levy information for towns, villages, and cities suggests their taxes could be up about 3.2%. WISTAX’s estimate of a 4.2% net levy increase is based on 3.2% levy growth for municipalities.

WISTAX projects that total gross levies (before subtraction of state school and "first-dollar" tax credits) could grow 4.5%.

These estimates are featured in the latest issue of WISTAX’s biweekly newsletter, Focus. The newsletter also contains actual tax information for counties and technical colleges.

Although total levies in the 72 counties are up 3.2% to $1.91 billion, tax changes vary greatly by county. The largest increases are in Green (11.3%) and Dane and Crawford counties (both 8.0%). Five counties cut their levies, with the largest reductions coming in Marquette (-2.4%) and Door (-1.7%) counties.

Statewide, technical college taxes are rising somewhat faster than those in counties (3.9% vs. 3.2%). The largest increases are in the Southwest Wisconsin (13.4%) and Madison (8.6%) districts. Nicolet (-0.4%) is the only district reducing its levy.

For a free copy of the report, "Average property tax hike estimated at 4.2%," write WISTAX, 401 North Lawn Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53704; e-mail wistax@wistax.org; or call 608.241.9789.