GREEN BAY — Mayor Eric Genrich on Monday released his proposed 2025 city budget that would increase the property tax levy 2.2%.
The adjustment would help cover $139 million worth of expenditures that the city’s finance director Diana Ellenbecker said have gone up to keep pace with the rising cost of providing city services. Consequently, property tax rates for residents will go up modestly.
Balancing the budget is always tough, Genrich told the Press-Gazette, but noted in a statement attached to the budget draft that the proposed total levy increase would be in line with projected for next year inflation rates. As of September, the national inflation rate was 2.4% ; the White House forecasts inflation at 2.3% in 2025 .
Much like Brown County’s budget approved last week , the name of the game behind Green Bay’s budget was to stay fiscally responsible while efficiently servicing the community.
“We’re in a nicer position than other communities,” Genrich said. “A small increase in the mill rate helps,” referencing the rate per $1,000 of property value that the city of Green Bay uses to determine how much property tax it will receive from a tax bill.