County BoardTop story
Racine County supervisors approve the 2027 budget 15–4 with a 3.8% levy increase
The county's 2027 budget by the numbers
- 15–4
- County Board vote to adopt the budget
- 3.8%
- levy increase, according to Malicki
- $65.1 million
- general countywide levy in Malicki's proposal
Source: Racine County Eye
If you pay Racine County property taxes, the 2027 budget is set. The County Board approved it 15–4 Monday, and County Executive Ralph Malicki says it raises the levy by 3.8%. Supervisors Taylor Wishau, Valena Lena Coleman, Ernie Rossi and Troy McReynolds voted no.
Rossi, who backs more road investment, questioned whether the county can sustain its spending and new positions. Lake Geneva News reports spending outpaces revenue by about 4% in 2027, and Rossi worries about a "fiscal cliff." Supervisor Tom Preusker said the sales tax helped prevent cuts to sheriff's deputies and roads.
- Proposed levy: $62.7 million to $65.1 million
- Proposed rate: $2.483 to $2.470 per $1,000 of equalized value
- Sales tax: 0.5%, in effect since April 2025
- Your bill: depends on property value, municipality and school district
Malicki's proposal splits $24 million in projected 2027 sales-tax revenue, mostly between operations and debt service. He told the board the county raised the amount committed to property-tax relief by roughly $1 million.
Most proposed sales-tax money goes to county operations
Racine County's proposed 2027 sales-tax revenue, $24 million, by where it comes from and where it goes
Comes from
$24 million
Goes to
Comes from
- $24M Sales-tax revenue 100%
$24 million
Goes to
- $16.4M County operations 68%
- $6.7M Debt service 28%
- $650K Highway capital projects 3%
- $250K Reserves 1%
Source: Racine County Eye
View as table
| Amount | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| From: Sales-tax revenue | $24 million | 100% |
| To: County operations | $16.4 million | 68% |
| To: Debt service | $6.7 million | 28% |
| To: Highway capital projects | $650,000 | 3% |
| To: Reserves | $250,000 | 1% |
