Brown County passes 2025 budget with historic mill rate decrease

GREEN BAY, WI – (WGBW) – The Brown County Board of Supervisors approved the 2025 budget, including the county’s lowest property tax rate on record. 

County Executive Troy Streckenbach noted that despite the reduced mill rate, the budget still enables key investments in county infrastructure.

The 2025 mill rate will decrease by 24 cents, from $3.04 to $2.80, the lowest mill rate on record. Streckenbach said the reduction is thanks to the adoption of the Debt Reduction, Infrastructure, and Property Tax Relief Plan in 2017.

“Brown County remains focused on providing valuable services, investing wisely in our infrastructure, and maintaining a strong fiscal house,” said Streckenbach in a press release. “Thank you to all the Brown County Supervisors who approved this plan promoting historic financial achievements not seen in many years.”

Brown County’s budget levy for 2025 is $94.53 million, about $46,000 less than 2024’s budget. The County’s outstanding debt will decrease again in 2025 by $7.71 million, bringing the total to $35.9 million, the lowest level in 35 years. 

Streckenbach said since he took office, Brown County has paid off nearly $120 million in debt burden, saving property taxpayers millions in interest payments alone while securing our financial well-being for future generations.

Several major infrastructure projects will take place in 2025, including the first section of the South Bridge Connector project, a new Interstate 41 interchange in the City of De Pere, and 18 different road, bridge, and infrastructure projects.

The vote was 22 to 2 to approve the budget. 

You can view Executive Streckenbach’s 2025 budget proposal online at: https://www.browncountywi.gov/government/county-executive/general-information/county-budget/.