Tosans Will See a Slight Bump in City Tax Rate

Wauwatosa homeowners and businesses will see a slight increase in their property taxes when the bills are mailed out next month, under the 2012 budget approved by the Common Council Tuesday.

Aldermen, on a 14-2 vote, approved a $53.38 million budget — up 0.8% from last year.

The city's property tax levy will remain the same as last year: $35.56 million. But because of a decrease in property values citywide, the property tax rate will rise by about 1.3 percent to $7.01 per $1,000 assessed value.

That means the owner of a typical Wauwatosa home — assessed at $241,600 — could see city taxes rise by $21.69 this year. Of course, the tax bill will be lower for a resident whose home decreased in value this year. 

The budget includes a number of reductions in revenue — primarily due to a decrease in state funding. The city is seeing declines in general transportation aid, recycling grant, and state shared revenues. 

Mayor Jill Didier praised the council for its hard work on next year’s budget.

“I’m proud to support this budget,” she said, adding that the council must continue to address they city’s long-term deficit.

Alderman Bobby Pantuso echoed the mayor’s praise for the budget.

“I sat in this chair last year and was not proud of our budget,” he said, adding that that wasn't the case for 2012.

Alderwoman Jacqueline Jay and Alderman Michael Walsh, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, voted against the budget.