Stop the Unfair Property Tax Hike
Our community deserves responsible budgeting — not another unsustainable property tax increase that outpaces our paychecks.
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The proposed 2026 Racine County Budget includes a tax hike that would raise property taxes by the largest increase in over 20 years. The tax increase is nearly double the rate of inflation and that's after they passed a brand new sales tax just last year. If passed as introduced, it will burden homeowners, renters, and small businesses already struggling to keep up with the cost of living.
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While families are tightening their belts, this plan adds 42 new employees and increases spending by much more than our neighbors can afford instead of prioritizing efficiency and accountability. We believe in strong public services, but growth in government should reflect real community needs — not unchecked bureaucracy.
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It’s time to say no to wasteful spending and unsustainable tax hikes. Let’s demand smarter budgeting, greater transparency, and a fair deal for taxpayers.
Historical Racine County Budget Information
TOTAL ANNUAL SPENDING
The chart shows that spending remained relatively flat for about a decade in Racine County showcasing our frugal leaders who focused on efficiency and reasonable levels of spending.
However, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sharp and unsustainable increase in county spending. This explosion of spending with one-time dollars coming from federal pandemic-related government stimulus exploded spending in government and Racine County now suffers the same spending hangover.
Our spending hangover can be solved in one of two ways - cut back to a normal level of spending or raise property taxes to fuel the unsustainable level of spending and debt
PROPERTY TAX LEVY and SALES TAX
Property Taxes are rising faster than our incomes. Seniors, families, and small businesses cannot afford these massive tax increases. Racine County is proposing to raise property taxes by the largest amount in over 20 years and that's after the massive new sales tax they imposed on our community. We must say no!
EMPLOYEE COUNT
The number of County employees has surged dramatically, rising from 696 in 2017 to a projected 1,109 in 2026. This represents an increase of nearly 60% in less than a decade — a staggering growth that raises serious concerns about government efficiency, spending priorities, and the burden on taxpayers. Instead of streamlining operations or investing in productivity, the government appears to be growing its payroll at an unsustainable rate, which will undoubtedly lead to higher costs in the long run.
DEBT SERVICE
Racine County's general obligation debt and service on that debt has been on the rise over the past decade. Even with the new sales tax revenues, Racine County continues to spend more than the revenues they receive. Debt costs taxpayers millions of dollars in interest and pushes the tax burden on our futures.
