APPLETON – Mayor Jake Woodford’s proposed 2025 city budget calls for a 4.2% increase in spending but a slight reduction in property taxes for a majority of homeowners, partly due to the correction of a valuation error made last year created by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
The estimated tax rate for city services is expected to drop by 1.6% for homeowners in Appleton in Outagamie County and by 4.1% for homeowners in Appleton in Calumet County.
“I didn’t expect spending to drop in a number of areas,” Woodford told The Post-Crescent.
The story is different for the small number of Appleton homeowners in Winnebago County, where the tourist tax rate will increase 10.5% due to a drop in property values and the repayment of a loan that will offset a larger tax increase due to the has avoided last year’s state error.
Finance Director Jeri Ohman said the Treasury Department improperly overvalued property in Appleton’s tax districts last year, resulting in excessive tax collections. The new budget corrects the error.
Other factors that helped lower the tax rate for most property owners included a $146.9 million increase in property values from new construction and the replacement of the personal property tax with state aid.
Additionally, city revenues are expected to increase, including a 10.8% increase in licenses and permits and a 21.7% increase in fines and forfeitures.
“We continue to be in a very strong fiscal position, with more growth opportunities ahead,” Woodford said in his message to the community.
Here’s what else you need to know about the 2025 budget.
How much does the city spend?
As drafted, the budget lists $199.8 million in expenditures. That is 4.2% more than the 2024 budget.
The budget specifies a merit-based wage increase of 3% for non-union employees. It adds 1.5 positions to the newly renovated and expanded Appleton Public Library, including a pool of part-time security monitors to replace a contracted security service. A part-time administrative assistant will also be added in the Public Health Department. The changes would bring city staff to the full-time equivalent of 653 positions.
Health insurance costs are expected to rise 3% next year, up from 18% this year, after Appleton’s self-funded health insurance plan outperformed projections and market averages.
Debt service costs would rise 3.5% next year to $16.5 million as Appleton pays for loans for previous capital projects. However, total outstanding debt would decrease from $95.5 million this year to $93.8 million next year.
What will it cost me?
The tax levy needed to support the budget is $55.3 million, an increase of 0.9%.
As proposed, the assessed tax rate for owners of Appleton properties in Outagamie County would drop 1.6% to $6.92 per $1,000 of assessment. The owner of a $225,000 home would pay $1,557 in property taxes for city services next year. That’s a drop of $27.
The estimated tax rate for owners of Appleton properties in Calumet County would drop 4.1% to $6.66 per $1,000 of assessment. Taxes on a $225,000 home would be $1,499, down from $65.
The estimated tax rate for Appleton property owners in Winnebago County would increase 10.5% to $7.21. Taxes on a $225,000 home would be $1,622, an increase of $153.
The calculations only take into account city services and do not include taxes for schools or the respective county.
The budget includes a 9% sewage rate increase, more than double what was planned, to pay for maintenance of the anaerobic digesters at the wastewater treatment plant and additional capital projects that were not identified in a 2020 rate study. The budget also provides for an 8% increase in garbage cart rates to cover higher dumping rates.
In addition, the Common Council increased the wheel tax from $20 to $30 effective January 1.
What capital projects are planned?
Appleton’s 2025 capital improvement program budgets $7.8 million for asphalt and concrete paving. The percentage of streets that score higher than the minimum passability was 95.5% in June, just below the city’s goal of 96%.
Other notable releases include:
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$3.8 million to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant’s electrical system. A second phase of work, also costing $3.8 million, is planned for 2027.
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$2.5 million to acquire land for a stormwater pond along the west side of South Lynndale Drive.
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$1.7 million for structural repairs and maintenance to the three downtown parking ramps. Similar expenditures are expected in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
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$1.5 million to paint the exterior of the Ridgeway water tower, 18 Lilac Court, and the exterior and interior of the North water tower, 6721 Ballard Road.
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$1.3 million to pay for the city’s share of the reconstruction of the Olde Oneida Street Bridge over the South Stream Canal.
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$1.3 million to renovate the community development and assessor workspaces at City Hall.
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$1.2 million to renovate the Facilities & Grounds Operations Center, 1819 Witzke Blvd.
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$1.1 million to inspect and repair the two digesters at the wastewater treatment plant.
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$805,000 to build a pavilion in Lundgaard Park with donated funds.
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$440,000 to purchase cardiac monitors for the Appleton Fire Department to improve care prior to ambulance arrival. In 2023, medical emergencies accounted for 76% of fire calls.
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$375,000 to renovate the Pierce Park Pavilion.
Where can I find a copy of the budget?
The 694-page budget is posted on the city’s website. Printed copies are available for inspection at the City Clerk’s office at City Hall, 100 N. Appleton St.
What if I want to participate?
Woodford will hold a budget listening session in the Council Chambers of City Hall on October 16 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The public hearing on the budget will take place at City Hall on November 6 at 6 p.m. The council will vote on the budget on November 13 at 6 p.m.
Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or dbehnke@gannett.com. Follow him on X, previously Twitter, op @DukeBehnke.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton’s budget increases spending by 4%, but cuts taxes for most
