Brown County releases its 2025 budget plan

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – A Brown County executive says a debt relief plan introduced in 2017 is working and homeowners are reaping the benefits.

Officials say the county’s proposed 2025 budget presented Monday includes the lowest property tax rate ever. County officials say the county is trying to keep costs down for the average homeowner because costs appear to be rising elsewhere.

Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach says the 2025 mill rate will drop by 24 cents. Streckenbach says his proposed 2025 budget of about $325 million includes investments in infrastructure that will maintain services and reduce the county’s debt. The mill rate will drop from $3.04 to $2.80.

“What this means for the average household: $36 for 150,000 homes or $248 for 200,000 homes may not be significant, but things are moving in the right direction when we see all the costs going up,” Streckenbach said.

The county’s 2025 budget levy is $94.53 million, about $46,000 less than last year.

“It’s a good budget, our general property tax will go down again and our total debt is down $7.7 million since we took office, and our total debt is down $120 million,” Streckenbach said.

In 2024, net new investment in Brown County was approximately $800 million, with strong growth in the cities of New Denmark, Ashwaubenon, Lawrence, Wrightstown and Hobart.

Streckenbach says the county’s investment of more than $7 million in the south bridge connector will only contribute to the county’s growth, impacting seven different municipalities.

On roads, the county plans to invest $37 million in 18 projects to improve 23 miles of roads next year. Over the next three years, the county will invest in the Phoenix Innovation Park and port development while also funding courthouse security upgrades.

Streckenbach argues that with this budget, Brown County must cover the bills for what he believes are state shortfalls, including $100,000 to the district attorney’s office to maintain positions, as well as the construction and staffing of a new $15 million jail pod, in which will accommodate 128 prisoners.

Streckenbach believes the state is using the county jail as part of the state prison system.

“Looking at the backlog of cases, Brown County could argue that the backlog is forcing us to open and operate two additional jail cells that we normally should not. So how do we fix this? We need to convince the state and the governor’s office that they are not funding us at the level we need. We need additional judges,” Streckenbach said.

Streckenbach fears the lack of movement in court cases could lead to early releases for some criminals, posing a threat to public safety.

“The reality is what it is, and we just have to continue to be advocates for the state, work with our legislators, work with the governor’s office to find a solution that will ultimately help us solve this problem,” Streckenbach said.

The county Board of Supervisors will consider the spending plan at its annual budget meeting on Oct. 23 at the Brown County Central Library.