Waukesha Times

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow addressed the Waukesha County Board of Supervisors to announce that the sales tax ordinance introduced on October 22, 2024, has been officially withdrawn. This ordinance was intended to provide municipal aid and a significant property tax reduction.

“Over the next two years, I will collaborate with local legislators, legislative leaders, and the Waukesha County Business Alliance during the state's legislative session to optimize revenue generating options for counties and minimize unfunded state mandates,” stated County Executive Paul Farrow.

Farrow also outlined a multi-faceted strategy that includes engaging with local lawmakers and the business community. The plan involves examining potential service cuts and increasing public engagement to provide transparency about county government operations and funding priorities.

Waukesha County is noted as having the lowest per capita spending statewide and is one of only two counties in Wisconsin that has not implemented a county sales tax. Currently, 44% of all county property tax dollars collected from residents—amounting to approximately $51 million in the 2025 budget—are used to cover mandated programs that lack state funding. The county aims to allocate these funds towards essential services such as the Sheriff’s Department and 9-1-1 dispatch.

“On the one hand we have residents demanding high-quality services, good roads, and safe communities and on the other hand we have many people who feel like they are already taxed too much and don’t want to pay more of their hard-earned money to the County or any other government, so we have to find the right balance,” added Farrow.