Property taxes will be frozen at current levels for the next two years, under the state budget that took effect last month. Local governments have the option of holding a referendum to raise more money, but Kyle Christianson of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance says it would probably be a hard sell.
With unemployment remaining high and many workers currently underemployed, he says most local government will realize that trying to push through a four to five-percent tax increase is a bad idea.
The Alliance is out with a final tally showing statewide property taxes increased 2.6-percent in the past year. Christianson says the bills coming out in December should only have an increase that reflects growth in new construction. The state budget office estimates there will be a net increase, but projects it will be less than two-percent.
AUDIO: Kyle Christianson (:15)
John Colbert, WIBA
