2009 Tax Levies

One of the most misunderstood concepts about property taxes is how your taxes are levied against your property.  Most people view the assessment on their home as the critical factor, however, while it plays a role in determining your property tax, it is not nearly as important as the tax levy.  You see, the taxing jurisdiction levies the same amount of taxes regardless of the equalized value in the community.  The equalized value effects the mill rate, but it does effect the amount of taxes collected.

This year, the Wisconsin Legislature cut $3.2 billion dollars from the state budget, mostly against  schools and local communities.  The Town of Merrimac saw a 15% loss of shared revenues.  Sauk Prairie and Baraboo school districts lost millions in school aids.  Of course, while the state made these cuts, they did not shrink their own wallets.  The overall state budget increased by nearly $4 billion dollars despite these cuts.

When your tax bill arrives, call State Senator Mark Miller and tell him what you think.  Senator Miller not only voted for the budget, he helped create it.

Here is how your tax bill stacks up before the school aid credit is subtracted.

Last year, the school aid deduction was $1.326 and will not be available until November 25th.