Marathon County to see slight increase in property taxes next year

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – Marathon County residents will see a slight increase in property taxes next year. 

The $194.7 million budget proposal calls for an increased tax levy of $61.4 million and notes a decrease in overall tax rate. 

According to County Administrator Lance Leonhard’s annual budget message, the average homeowner will see an increase of around $30 in the county portion of their tax bill.

At a county board meeting Monday, Leonhard said the county tax rate is lower than many surrounding counties. 

“The message that resonates throughout this year’s budget and in past budgets really is that Marathon County continues to be a very well managed fiscal organization,” Leonhard said.

Leonhard said most of the levy increase is due to net new construction, debt service on previously approved capital projects, and a small bump in library funding.

“Why is net new construction is important? That’s new construction. Those are new tax bases coming online,” Leonhard said.

The county’s 2026 budget will be slightly lower than 2025 with a nearly four million dollar decrease. 

Chair of the Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee John Robinson said the increase in the tax levy will contribute to long term financial planning.

“We have a tight budget, a responsible budget, and one that delivers um on our desire to continue to provide valued services to the uh citizens of this county as well as looking for opportunities to be as efficient as we can be,” Robinson said.

The budget also includes an over five percent wage increase for county employees and a new public health coordinator position in the county Health Department that will focus on homelessness.

The county board is expected to adopt the budget at their meeting next Tuesday.

---