Actual property levies on this Wisconsin county fund important public providers comparable to schooling, infrastructure upkeep, public security, and native authorities operations. These levies are calculated based mostly on the assessed worth of properties inside the county’s boundaries, with charges various relying on the particular municipality. As an illustration, a residential property situated within the Metropolis of Waukesha may need a unique fee than the same property situated within the City of Delafield.
Steady and predictable funding for very important neighborhood providers is straight linked to those actual property assessments. This income stream permits for investments in faculties, highway repairs, emergency providers, and parks, contributing considerably to the standard of life and financial vitality of the area. Traditionally, these regionally managed funds have performed a vital position in shaping the county’s growth and sustaining its character.
This useful resource presents additional info on matters together with evaluation procedures, fee choices, exemption packages, and the way these levies are decided and utilized inside the county. Understanding these processes can empower residents and companies to have interaction extra successfully with their native authorities.
1. Assessed Values
Assessed values kind the muse of actual property taxation in Waukesha County. The assessed worth, decided by the county assessor’s workplace, represents the estimated market worth of a property. This worth straight impacts the quantity of property tax owed. A better assessed worth ends in a better tax invoice, assuming a continuing tax fee. For instance, two an identical properties, one assessed at $300,000 and the opposite at $400,000, could have totally different tax liabilities, with the latter being greater. This underscores the direct correlation between assessed values and tax burdens.
The evaluation course of goals to ascertain truthful and equitable valuations throughout all properties inside the county. This includes analyzing property traits, current gross sales knowledge of comparable properties, and market tendencies. Common reassessments make sure that property values mirror present market situations, thereby sustaining a balanced and correct tax base. Understanding this course of permits property house owners to contextualize their assessments and navigate potential appeals if discrepancies are recognized. As an illustration, if a property’s assessed worth considerably deviates from comparable gross sales within the space, an enchantment is likely to be warranted.
Correct and equitable assessments are essential for sustaining a steady and predictable income stream for native governments. Challenges can come up from fluctuating market situations or inconsistencies in evaluation methodologies. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing evaluate and refinement of evaluation practices, guaranteeing transparency and equity all through the method. This contributes to a extra strong and equitable property tax system, very important for funding important public providers and supporting neighborhood growth inside Waukesha County.
2. Tax Charges
Property tax charges in Waukesha County play a vital position in figuring out the ultimate tax legal responsibility for property house owners. These charges, expressed as a greenback quantity per $1,000 of assessed worth (or mills), differ throughout municipalities inside the county, reflecting variations in native budgetary wants and repair provisions. Understanding how these charges are decided and their influence on particular person tax payments is important for navigating the property tax panorama.
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Municipal Variations
Every municipality inside Waukesha County, together with cities, villages, and cities, units its personal tax fee. This localized strategy permits every municipality to tailor its income technology to particular neighborhood wants. For instance, a municipality with a better demand for public providers, comparable to in depth park methods or strong public security sources, may need a better tax fee than a municipality with decrease service calls for. These variations mirror the precept of native management over public funds.
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Budgetary Concerns
Municipal budgets straight affect tax charges. The annual funds course of in every municipality includes figuring out the required funding for varied providers, together with schooling, public security, infrastructure upkeep, and administration. The distinction between projected revenues and expenditures influences the tax levy wanted, which, in flip, impacts the tax fee. A major enhance in budgetary wants, maybe attributable to infrastructure tasks or rising personnel prices, may result in a rise within the tax fee.
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Influence on Tax Payments
The tax fee, mixed with the assessed worth of a property, determines the ultimate tax invoice. As an illustration, a property assessed at $300,000 in a municipality with a tax fee of $10 per $1,000 of assessed worth would have a tax legal responsibility of $3,000. Understanding this relationship permits property house owners to anticipate their tax obligations and plan accordingly. Even small modifications within the tax fee can have a noticeable influence on particular person tax payments, notably for higher-value properties.
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Transparency and Accountability
Public entry to details about tax charges and their underlying calculations is essential for transparency and accountability. Municipalities usually publish funds paperwork and tax fee info, permitting residents to know how their tax {dollars} are being utilized. This transparency empowers residents to have interaction in knowledgeable discussions about native fiscal insurance policies and maintain their elected officers accountable for accountable monetary administration. Entry to clear and concise info fosters belief and strengthens neighborhood involvement in native governance.
These interconnected components underscore the importance of tax charges inside the broader context of Waukesha Countys property tax system. Variations in charges throughout municipalities spotlight the decentralized nature of property taxation, emphasizing the significance of understanding native budgetary processes and their influence on particular person tax liabilities. This localized strategy empowers communities to tailor their tax insurance policies to distinctive circumstances whereas additionally necessitating cautious monetary planning and clear communication with residents.
3. Fee Deadlines
Adhering to fee deadlines is an important side of managing property taxes in Waukesha County. Failure to satisfy these deadlines may end up in penalties, curiosity fees, and potential authorized motion. Understanding the established deadlines and accessible fee choices is important for avoiding these penalties and sustaining compliance with county rules.
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Due Dates and Installment Choices
Waukesha County supplies property house owners with varied fee choices and corresponding deadlines. Taxes can usually be paid in full by January thirty first or in two installments, with the primary due by January thirty first and the second by July thirty first. These structured deadlines enable taxpayers to handle their funds in accordance with their monetary circumstances. Selecting the installment choice spreads the tax burden over the 12 months, providing flexibility for budgeting and money circulate administration.
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Penalties of Late Fee
Failing to satisfy fee deadlines ends in penalties and curiosity fees. These fees accrue day by day, rising the general tax legal responsibility. Continued delinquency can result in extra extreme penalties, together with tax liens on the property and potential foreclosures proceedings. Understanding these ramifications underscores the significance of well timed funds.
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Fee Strategies and Channels
The county presents varied fee channels to facilitate well timed funds. These embrace on-line funds, mail-in choices, and in-person funds at designated areas. On-line platforms supply comfort and rapid affirmation, whereas mail-in funds require cautious consideration to deadlines to make sure well timed supply. In-person funds present a direct technique for individuals who want face-to-face transactions. Selecting the suitable fee technique ensures a streamlined and environment friendly fee course of.
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Sources and Help
The Waukesha County Treasurer’s Workplace supplies sources and help to taxpayers relating to fee deadlines and procedures. This contains on-line info portals, FAQs, and get in touch with info for inquiries. Using these sources might help property house owners perceive fee necessities, navigate potential challenges, and guarantee compliance with county rules. Accessing accessible help ensures a clean and knowledgeable fee expertise.
Assembly fee deadlines is prime to accountable property possession in Waukesha County. Understanding these deadlines, accessible fee strategies, and the potential penalties of late funds ensures compliance with county rules and avoids pointless monetary penalties. Efficient monetary planning and utilization of accessible sources contribute to a clean and environment friendly property tax fee course of. This diligence is important for sustaining a optimistic monetary standing inside the neighborhood and avoiding potential problems related to delinquent taxes.
4. Exemptions
Sure properties inside Waukesha County might qualify for property tax exemptions, decreasing or eliminating their tax burden. These exemptions serve particular public coverage targets, comparable to supporting householders, selling charitable actions, or preserving agricultural land. Understanding the accessible exemptions and their eligibility necessities is essential for doubtlessly decreasing property tax liabilities.
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Homestead Exemption
The homestead exemption reduces the assessed worth of a major residence, reducing the taxable base and consequently the property tax owed. This exemption usually applies to owner-occupied properties and goals to supply tax reduction for householders. As an illustration, a certified homestead would possibly obtain a discount in assessed worth, resulting in a decrease tax invoice in comparison with the same non-homestead property. This exemption acknowledges the significance of homeownership and its contribution to neighborhood stability.
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Senior Citizen Exemption
Eligible senior residents might qualify for added property tax exemptions, additional decreasing their tax burden. Particular age and earnings necessities apply, and these exemptions purpose to supply monetary reduction to senior householders on mounted incomes. This help might help seniors stay of their properties and preserve monetary stability throughout retirement.
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Incapacity Exemption
People with disabilities may additionally qualify for property tax exemptions. Eligibility standards usually contain particular incapacity classifications and earnings limitations. These exemptions supply essential monetary help to people going through important challenges associated to their disabilities. This help can alleviate monetary pressure and contribute to improved high quality of life.
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Charitable Group Exemption
Properties owned and operated by qualifying charitable organizations could also be exempt from property taxes. This exemption acknowledges the precious providers supplied by these organizations to the neighborhood. For instance, a property housing a non-profit group offering important neighborhood providers is likely to be exempt, permitting the group to allocate extra sources to its mission slightly than tax funds. This coverage helps the very important position charitable organizations play in addressing neighborhood wants.
Navigating the complexities of property tax exemptions requires cautious consideration of eligibility necessities and software procedures. These exemptions symbolize a big side of the Waukesha County property tax system, providing focused reduction to particular teams and supporting broader neighborhood goals. Understanding and using relevant exemptions can considerably influence particular person tax liabilities and contribute to the general monetary well-being of eligible property house owners. Additional info and sources relating to particular exemption packages can be found by the Waukesha County Treasurer’s Workplace.
5. Municipal Variations
Municipal variations play a big position in shaping the property tax panorama inside Waukesha County. Every municipality, together with cities, villages, and cities, possesses the authority to set its personal property tax fee. This localized strategy stems from Wisconsin’s system of native authorities finance, which grants municipalities appreciable autonomy in managing their fiscal affairs. Consequently, property tax charges can differ considerably between neighboring municipalities, even inside the identical county. This variation arises from variations in municipal budgets, service ranges, and native priorities. For instance, the Metropolis of Waukesha, with its bigger inhabitants and extra in depth city providers, would possibly levy a unique fee than the Village of Menomonee Falls, which has totally different budgetary wants and repair provisions.
The sensible significance of those municipal variations is substantial. A property’s location inside the county straight impacts its tax legal responsibility. Two an identical properties, one situated in a municipality with a excessive tax fee and the opposite in a municipality with a low tax fee, could have totally different tax payments, even when their assessed values are an identical. This underscores the significance of understanding municipal variations when contemplating property possession inside Waukesha County. Moreover, these variations can affect property values, as decrease tax charges could make a municipality extra enticing to potential householders and companies. This dynamic interaction between tax charges, property values, and municipal funds underscores the complexity of the property tax system.
Understanding municipal variations is essential for navigating the Waukesha County property tax system. Recognizing that tax charges will not be uniform throughout the county permits property house owners to anticipate potential tax liabilities and make knowledgeable selections relating to property acquisition or relocation. Moreover, partaking with native municipal funds processes supplies perception into how tax charges are decided and the way revenues are allotted to help important providers inside every neighborhood. This consciousness fosters higher transparency and accountability in native governance and contributes to a extra knowledgeable citizenry. This understanding of municipal variations inside Waukesha County empowers each residents and companies to navigate the property tax panorama successfully.
6. Appeals Course of
The appeals course of presents a proper mechanism for property house owners in Waukesha County to problem their property assessments. This course of is essential for guaranteeing truthful and correct property valuations, which straight influence property tax liabilities. Navigating this course of successfully requires understanding the steps concerned, deadlines, and potential outcomes.
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Formal Objection
The preliminary step usually includes submitting a proper objection with the native Board of Evaluate. This board, comprised of appointed members, hears property house owners’ appeals and critiques proof offered to problem the preliminary evaluation. Property house owners should present compelling proof, comparable to comparable gross sales knowledge or impartial value determinations, to help their declare of an inaccurate evaluation. As an illustration, demonstrating that comparable properties within the neighborhood had been assessed at decrease values can strengthen an enchantment. A well-prepared and documented objection is essential for a profitable enchantment.
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Proof and Documentation
Supporting documentation performs an important position within the appeals course of. Proof would possibly embrace current gross sales knowledge of comparable properties, skilled value determinations, pictures, or every other documentation that substantiates the declare of an inaccurate evaluation. Thorough documentation strengthens the enchantment and will increase the probability of a good consequence. For instance, presenting an impartial appraisal that differs considerably from the assessor’s valuation supplies concrete proof for the Board of Evaluate to think about. The standard and relevance of the proof offered straight influence the enchantment’s success.
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Board of Evaluate Listening to
The Board of Evaluate conducts hearings to supply property house owners with a chance to current their case and problem the evaluation. These hearings enable for direct interplay with the board members and supply a platform for explaining the idea of the enchantment. Presenting a transparent, concise, and well-supported argument is important for successfully conveying the grounds for the enchantment. The Board of Evaluate considers the proof offered and renders a choice, which can uphold the unique evaluation, decrease it, or in some circumstances, increase it. The end result of the listening to considerably impacts the property proprietor’s tax legal responsibility.
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Additional Appeals
If the Board of Evaluate resolution is unsatisfactory, property house owners might have additional enchantment choices. This would possibly contain interesting to the Wisconsin Division of Income or pursuing authorized motion by the court docket system. These subsequent appeals symbolize further avenues for difficult the evaluation and in search of a extra favorable consequence. Nevertheless, pursuing additional appeals generally is a extra complicated and resource-intensive course of. Understanding the potential prices and advantages of pursuing additional appeals is important for making knowledgeable selections.
The appeals course of is integral to the Waukesha County property tax system. It supplies a mechanism for guaranteeing truthful and equitable property valuations, defending property house owners from doubtlessly inaccurate assessments. Navigating this course of successfully requires meticulous preparation, thorough documentation, and a transparent understanding of the procedures and deadlines concerned. Using the appeals course of when warranted contributes to a extra correct and equitable property tax system, benefiting each particular person property house owners and the neighborhood as an entire. A good and clear appeals course of fosters belief within the property tax system and ensures that property valuations precisely mirror market situations.
7. Finances Funding
Actual property taxes represent a cornerstone of funds funding for Waukesha County and its municipalities. These levies straight help important public providers, impacting the standard of life and financial vitality of the area. A direct hyperlink exists between the quantity collected by these taxes and the extent of providers supplied. For instance, funding for public schooling, a good portion of municipal budgets, depends closely on these revenues. Reductions in property tax income can result in cuts in instructional packages, impacting college staffing, sources, and total instructional high quality. Conversely, elevated revenues would possibly enable for enhanced instructional alternatives, together with specialised packages or improved services. This cause-and-effect relationship underscores the vital position of property taxes in funding essential public providers.
The reliance on property taxes as a major funding mechanism influences budgetary selections on the municipal degree. Municipalities should fastidiously stability their budgets, aligning projected revenues from property taxes with deliberate expenditures for providers. This balancing act requires cautious consideration of neighborhood wants, service priorities, and accessible sources. For instance, a municipality experiencing speedy development would possibly have to allocate a bigger portion of its funds to infrastructure growth, necessitating changes to the tax fee or different income sources to fund these tasks. Unexpected circumstances, comparable to pure disasters or financial downturns, may influence property tax revenues and require budgetary changes to take care of important providers. A municipality’s skill to adapt to altering circumstances whereas sustaining important providers highlights the sensible significance of understanding the connection between property tax revenues and funds funding.
Understanding the intricate relationship between property tax revenues and funds funding is essential for residents, companies, and policymakers in Waukesha County. This understanding fosters knowledgeable civic engagement and promotes accountable fiscal administration. Recognizing how property taxes contribute to funding very important neighborhood providers empowers residents to take part actively in native funds discussions and maintain elected officers accountable for accountable useful resource allocation. Moreover, understanding the constraints and alternatives offered by property tax revenues permits policymakers to make knowledgeable selections that stability neighborhood wants with sustainable fiscal insurance policies. This understanding in the end contributes to a extra vibrant and resilient neighborhood.
8. Public Providers
Property taxes in Waukesha County straight fund a big selection of public providers important for sustaining the neighborhood’s well-being and performance. These providers contribute to the standard of life, financial stability, and total prosperity of the county. Understanding the connection between property tax revenues and the availability of those providers is essential for knowledgeable civic engagement.
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Schooling
A considerable portion of property tax income is allotted to funding public schooling, encompassing operational prices for faculties, trainer salaries, instructional sources, and facility upkeep. These funds straight influence the standard of schooling supplied to kids inside the county. For instance, well-funded faculties can supply smaller class sizes, specialised packages, and up to date expertise, contributing to improved pupil outcomes. The extent of property tax income straight influences the sources accessible to colleges and, consequently, the standard of schooling supplied.
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Public Security
Property taxes help important public security providers, together with legislation enforcement, hearth safety, and emergency medical providers. These providers are basic for sustaining a safe and guarded neighborhood. Funding for police departments, hearth stations, and emergency response personnel depends closely on property tax income. Ample funding ensures ample staffing, gear, and coaching crucial for efficient public security operations. This direct hyperlink between property tax income and public security preparedness is essential for neighborhood well-being.
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Infrastructure
Sustaining and bettering public infrastructure, together with roads, bridges, water methods, and parks, depends considerably on property tax funding. These investments are essential for supporting financial growth, guaranteeing secure and environment friendly transportation, and offering leisure alternatives. For instance, property taxes would possibly fund highway repairs, bridge upkeep, and upgrades to water remedy services. These investments contribute to the long-term sustainability and financial vitality of the neighborhood. The situation and performance of public infrastructure straight influence the standard of life and financial prospects inside the county.
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Native Authorities Operations
Property taxes help the day-to-day operations of native authorities, together with administrative capabilities, public report upkeep, and important neighborhood providers. These capabilities are crucial for the efficient administration of presidency and the supply of important providers to residents. Funding for administrative workers, record-keeping methods, and neighborhood outreach packages falls below this class. Environment friendly and well-funded native authorities operations are important for sustaining transparency, accountability, and efficient service supply. Property taxes present the monetary basis for these essential capabilities.
The connection between property taxes and public providers in Waukesha County is plain. These taxes are the lifeblood of important neighborhood capabilities, impacting every part from schooling and public security to infrastructure and authorities operations. Understanding this relationship is vital for knowledgeable participation in native governance and for selling accountable fiscal administration inside the neighborhood. The extent of property tax income straight influences the standard and availability of those providers, shaping the general character and prosperity of Waukesha County. Supporting enough funding for public providers by property taxes is an funding locally’s current and future well-being.
Often Requested Questions
This part addresses frequent inquiries relating to actual property taxation in Waukesha County. Clear and concise solutions are supplied to advertise understanding of this important side of native governance.
Query 1: How is a property’s assessed worth decided?
Assessed values are decided by the county assessor’s workplace based mostly on property traits, current gross sales knowledge of comparable properties, and prevailing market tendencies. Common reassessments guarantee values mirror present market situations.
Query 2: Why do tax charges differ between municipalities inside the county?
Every municipality units its personal tax fee based mostly on its distinctive budgetary wants and repair provisions. Variations mirror native priorities and the precept of native management over public funds.
Query 3: What occurs if property taxes will not be paid by the deadline?
Failure to satisfy fee deadlines ends in penalties and curiosity fees. Continued delinquency can result in tax liens and potential foreclosures proceedings.
Query 4: What exemptions can be found, and the way can one qualify?
A number of exemptions, together with homestead, senior citizen, and incapacity exemptions, might scale back tax burdens. Eligibility necessities differ, and functions should be submitted to the related authorities. Additional info is accessible by the county treasurer’s workplace.
Query 5: How can one problem a property evaluation?
Property house owners can problem assessments by the formal appeals course of, usually initiated by submitting an objection with the native Board of Evaluate. Supporting documentation is essential for a profitable enchantment.
Query 6: How are property tax revenues utilized inside the county?
Revenues fund important public providers comparable to schooling, public security, infrastructure upkeep, and native authorities operations. The allocation of funds displays municipal funds priorities and neighborhood wants.
Understanding these basic points of property taxation empowers residents and companies to navigate the system successfully and interact extra actively in native governance.
For extra detailed info and particular inquiries, please seek the advice of the Waukesha County Treasurer’s Workplace or the related municipal authorities.
Suggestions for Navigating Actual Property Taxation
Efficient administration of actual property taxation requires proactive planning and knowledgeable decision-making. The following pointers supply steering for navigating the complexities of this method inside Waukesha County.
Tip 1: Perceive Assessed Values: Recurrently evaluate property assessments and evaluate them to current gross sales of comparable properties. Vital discrepancies might warrant an enchantment to the Board of Evaluate. This proactive strategy ensures correct valuations and doubtlessly reduces tax liabilities.
Tip 2: Monitor Municipal Budgets: Keep knowledgeable about municipal funds processes and proposed tax charges. Attending public funds hearings and reviewing funds paperwork supplies insights into how tax revenues are allotted and the way potential modifications would possibly influence tax payments.
Tip 3: Discover Out there Exemptions: Analysis and make the most of relevant property tax exemptions, comparable to homestead, senior citizen, or incapacity exemptions. These exemptions can considerably scale back tax burdens for eligible people. Contacting the county treasurer’s workplace can present additional info on particular exemption packages.
Tip 4: Adhere to Fee Deadlines: Mark fee deadlines on calendars and make the most of handy fee strategies, comparable to on-line funds or computerized financial institution drafts, to keep away from penalties and curiosity fees related to late funds. Well timed funds preserve compliance and keep away from pointless monetary burdens.
Tip 5: Keep Correct Data: Hold meticulous information of property assessments, tax funds, and any correspondence associated to property taxes. These information are important for navigating potential appeals or addressing any discrepancies which will come up. Organized record-keeping facilitates environment friendly communication with related authorities.
Tip 6: Take into account Lengthy-Time period Implications: When buying property, consider potential tax liabilities and municipal variations in tax charges. This long-term perspective ensures knowledgeable monetary planning and avoids sudden tax burdens. Researching tax charges in numerous municipalities inside the county can inform buying selections.
Tip 7: Interact with Native Authorities: Take part in native authorities conferences and interact with elected officers on points associated to property taxation. Energetic civic engagement promotes transparency and accountability in native governance and permits residents to voice their considerations and contribute to knowledgeable coverage selections.
Proactive engagement with the complexities of actual property taxation empowers property house owners to handle their tax liabilities successfully and contribute to a extra knowledgeable and equitable system. The following pointers present a place to begin for navigating this vital side of native governance in Waukesha County.
By understanding and implementing these methods, people contribute to a extra knowledgeable and equitable system of actual property taxation inside Waukesha County. This knowledgeable strategy advantages each particular person property house owners and the broader neighborhood.
Conclusion
Cautious examination of actual property taxation inside Waukesha County reveals a multifaceted system impacting residents, companies, and the broader neighborhood. From assessed values and tax charges to exemptions, appeals, and budgetary concerns, every element performs a vital position in shaping the general monetary panorama. The direct hyperlink between these levies and the funding of important public providers, together with schooling, public security, and infrastructure, underscores the significance of a well-managed and equitable system.
Efficient navigation of this method requires knowledgeable engagement and proactive planning. Understanding evaluation procedures, fee deadlines, and accessible exemptions empowers property house owners to handle their tax liabilities successfully. Energetic participation in native authorities discussions and budgetary processes promotes transparency and accountability, guaranteeing that these important revenues are utilized responsibly to help a thriving neighborhood. Continued deal with equitable evaluation practices and environment friendly useful resource allocation will stay essential for sustaining a sustainable and strong system of actual property taxation inside Waukesha County.
