APPLETON — Most Appleton homeowners will pay less in property taxes for city services next year.

The Common Council made a minor correction, which compensated City budget 2025 Wednesday before the 694-page spending plan was approved by a 12-1 vote.

The budget increases spending by 4.2 percent, but lowers the tax rate by 1.6 percent for Appleton property owners in Outagamie County and by 4.1 percent for Appleton property owners in Calumet County, in part because correction of an assessment error made last year by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

The situation is different for the small number of Appleton homeowners in Winnebago County, where the city’s tax rate is increasing by 10.5 percent because of falling property values ​​and paying back a loan that avoided a bigger tax increase from the state’s mistake last year last.

Other factors helping lower the tax rate for most property owners are a $146.9 million increase in new construction property values ​​and the replacement of personal property taxes with state aid.

Appleton resident Janice Quinlan, representing the League of Women Voters of Appleton-Fox Cities, commended the city on the budget process, which included a listening session with Mayor Jake Woodford, access to council workshop discussions and sharing answers to council questions. the members.

“We continue to be impressed by the highly qualified professional staff who lead our city departments,” Quinlan said during the public budget hearing. “We are also impressed with the dedication and commitment of the mayor and elected officials throughout this process.”

Quinlan said the League of Women Voters appreciates using federal, state and private funds to offset the cost of the new The $40.4 million Appleton Public Librarythe planned one $26.8 million Appleton Transit Center and the renovation and expansion of Valley Transit’s administrative offices and bus maintenance and storage facility.

How much does the city spend?

The budget identifies spending of $199.8 million.

The budget includes a 3 percent merit-based pay increase for non-union employees. It adds 1.5 positions to the Appleton Public Library, including a group of part-time security monitors to replace a contracted security service. A part-time administrative assistant is also being added to the Health Department. The changes will bring the city’s staff to the full-time equivalent of 653 positions.

The cost of health insurance will rise 3 percent next year, compared to 18 percent this year, after Appleton’s self-funded health insurance plan beat forecasts and market averages.

Debt service costs next year will rise 3.5 percent to $16.5 million as Appleton pays back loans for earlier capital projects. However, total outstanding debt will fall from $95.5 million this year to $93.8 million next year.

How much will it cost me?

The tax levy needed to support the budget is $55.3 million, an increase of 0.9 percent.

The assessed tax rate for Appleton property owners in Outagamie County will be $6.92 per $1,000 of assessment. The owner of a $225,000 home will pay $1,557 in property taxes for city services next year. That’s a drop of $27.

The assessed tax rate for Appleton property owners in Calumet County will be $6.66 per $1,000 of assessment. Taxes on a $225,000 home will be $1,499, down $65.

The assessed tax rate for Appleton property owners in Winnebago County will be $7.21. Taxes on a $225,000 home will be $1,622, an increase of $153.

The calculations only account for city services and do not include school or county taxes.

The budget includes a 9 percent increase in the sanitary sewer rate to pay for the maintenance of anaerobic digesters at the wastewater treatment plant and additional capital projects not identified in a 2020 rate study. The budget also provides a 8% increase in bin charges to cover higher landfill disposal rates.

In addition, the Co.The mmon council increased the wheel tax from $20 to $30 effective Jan. 1.

When will I receive the invoice?

Finance Director Jeri Ohman said property tax bills will be mailed out in the first 10 days of December.

What capital projects are planned?

Appleton’s 2025 capital improvement program calls for $7.8 million in asphalt and concrete paving. The percentage of streets rated above minimum traffic capacity was 95.5% in June, just short of the city’s target of 96%.

Other notable expenses include:

• $3.8 million to upgrade the electrical system at the wastewater treatment plant. A second phase of work, also costing $3.8 million, is planned for 2027.

• $2.5 million to acquire land for a stormwater pond along the west side of South Lynndale Drive.

• $1.7 million for structural repairs and maintenance on the three downtown parking ramps. Similar spending is anticipated in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

• $1.5 million to paint the exterior of the Ridgeway Water Tower at 18 Lilac Court and the exterior and interior of the North Water Tower at 6721 Ballard Road.

• $1.3 million to pay for the city’s portion of the reconstruction of the Olde Oneida Street bridge over the South Power Canal.

• $1.3 million to renovate Community Development and Assessment workspaces at City Hall.

• $1.2 million to renovate the Facilities & Grounds Operations Center at 1819 Witzke Blvd.

• $1.1 million to inspect and repair the two digesters at the wastewater treatment plant.

• $805,000 to build a pavilion at Lundgaard Park using donated funds.

• $440,000 to purchase cardiac monitors for the Appleton Fire Department to improve patient care before an ambulance arrives. In 2023, medical emergencies accounted for 76% of fire service calls.

• $375,000 to renovate Pierce Park Pavilion.

Contact Duke Behnke at 920-993-7176 or [email protected]. Follow X, formerly Twitter, at @DukeBehnke.

This article originally appeared on the Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton’s 2025 budget spends more, but eases the burden on most taxpayers