City of Oshkosh lowers tax rate for 2025

OSHKOSH, WI–(WGBW&WISS)– When adopting its 2025 budget this week, the City of Oshkosh cut the city portion of the tax levy and tax rate by 1.17%. This comes just months after a revaluation of residential properties that increased values by about 53%. The $233.5 Million operating budget for 2025 is an increase of about 34% over 2024’s 174.3 million budget. 

“No budget’s perfect. Ever. And you’re never going to get everything you want,” said Mayor Matt Mugerauer. “What I do want to recognize, at least in my seven budget cycles, this is probably the most collaborative and intensive discussion that council’s had that I can recollect.”

The original budget proposal from City Manager Mark Rohloff and Finance Director Julie Calmes had a 2.83% increase in the tax rate. However, during budget workshops and negotiations, the common council worked with Rohloff and Calmes to find solutions and ways to reduce the tax levy.

Council comments on budget

Council member Jacob Floam echoed the Mayor’s feelings, but was happy that it was able to reduce the tax levy for homeowners by 1.17%. 

“Is it perfect? No. It’s not perfect. No budget is ever going to be perfect. But I think that we have done a good job in making sure that we’ve done the best that we can with the resources that we have and looking forward to the future,” Floam said.

Ultimately, the city decided to move $3.6 million from the general fund balance to offset the raised value of residential properties. The budget also provides for behavioral health officers in the Oshkosh Police Department.

Council Member Paul Esslinger said he was satisfied with the process and the end result.

“I think we listened to the residents that said ‘We’re in a bad situation. We elected you for a reason. We put our faith and trust in you.”  And as Council Member Floam said, ‘Is it perfect? No.’  It’s not, but I think with all the obstacles that we had and the things that we could do I think we came out pretty darn good on this,” Esslinger said.

Not all of the council members were happy with the budget. Council Member Karl Buelow said he is not overly comfortable with the budget.

“I’m worried that we’re adding 11 full-time employees and we’re taking it out of the general budget, which is not sustainable,” Buelow said. “I’m not happy with how we ended up, but I am happy with the process that got us here. And I think that this is the best that it is possibly going to get.”