The 2025 Sheboygan County Budget reflects tremendous teamwork among County Board Supervisors and County staff. The budget development process starts in spring and is a collaborative effort throughout summer. As the budget develops, it is reviewed by staff with opportunites for input from the public. It is then approved by the Liaison and Finance Committees. The different preliminary components are then compiled into a comprehensive budget in early fall.

The 2025 Preliminary Budget was presented to the full County Board at their October 22, 2024 meeting. Additionally, a Public Hearing and line-by-line Budget Review was held at the County Board meeting on October 29, 2024. The 2025 Budget was then proposed for adoption at the November 5, 2024 County Board meeting. The 2025 Adopted Budget will be published with full details on Sheboygan County's website in mid-December 2024.

Sheboygan County Budget Summary

2025 Adopted Budget

 Click here to view the 2025 Adopted Budget Summary graphs.

Q: What was the total property tax levy proposed for the 2025 Budget and is it increasing or decreasing?
A: $53.7 million. The property tax levy is increasing by 0.02%, or $9,336, over last year.  

Q: What is the overall amount of the adopted Sheboygan County budget? 
A: $204.1 million 

Q: How successful has Sheboygan County been with limiting property tax levy increases annually?
A: Since 2016, the average annual increase of the property tax levy, including this adopted budget, would be 1.35%.

Q: Is the tax rate increasing or decreasing with this adopted budget and what does that mean for my property taxes?
A: The property tax rate is $3.58, which is a decrease of 7.93%, or 31 cents, from the 2024 budget. On a $100,000 home, property taxes will decrease $30.83. This will be the 9th consecutive year the property tax rate has gone down.

Q: If the tax rate is decreasing, is something being cut? 
A: No, the 2025 budget preserves all core programs and services.  

Q: Are there any special projects planned for the year ahead? 
A: Yes. Below are a few examples of projects planned for 2025:

• Construction of a multipurpose storage and household hazardous waste building
• Implementing a new Enterprise Resource Planning software and other technology upgrades 
• Improving our transportation infrastructure, including highway shed improvements and reconstruction of an airport taxiway 
• Window replacement at the Courthouse for increased energy efficiency and historic preservation

Q: Has Sheboygan County Government gotten bigger or smaller over the years?
A: In the early 2000s Sheboygan County had nearly 23 departments and approximately 1,300 employees. Today, we have 19 departments and approximately 875 employees. This was achieved primarily by establishing priorities and consolidating and streamlining operations, which helps keep property taxes in check.

Q: Who is involved in developing the annual budget?
A: It is the statutory responsibility of the County Administrator to set the tone for budget development and set expectations for County departments. The County Board ultimately approves the annual budget after it has been reviewed by each department’s Liaison Committee and Finance Committee. All committee meetings are open to the public and a public hearing is held during a County Board meeting in October prior to the County Board finalizing the budget. Sheboygan County residents are welcome to attend and encouraged to engage in the budget development process.

Q: How do I know Sheboygan County is being fiscally responsible with my tax dollars?
A: Sheboygan County has a track record of maintaining healthy fiscal reserves and an excellent bond rating, which is a measurement of creditworthiness of a bond. This allows Sheboygan County to receive competitive bonding rates for capital improvements.

Additionally, an independent, public accounting firm conducts a financial audit of Sheboygan County every year. As a testament to our fiscal stewardship, the Finance Department earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting presented by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) in 2022 for the ninth consecutive year.  2023 financial reports have been submitted to the GFOA for consideration for the next award cycle.

A: The budget for 2025, in detail, is now available for public inspection in the Finance Department of Sheboygan County, located in Room 208 of the Administration Building, 508 New York Avenue, Sheboygan Wisconsin.  You can also review the proposed 2025 budget online after October 22 at:  https://www.sheboygancounty.com/departments/departments-f-q/finance/reports