SHAWANO, WI – Shawano County leaders have approved a plan to borrow $3 million and use $2.9 million from reserves to balance the county’s 2026 budget. Shawano County Board Chairman Tom Kautza says the measure was approved by the county’s executive committee and now moves to the full county board for consideration this fall.
Finance officials say the proposal would drop the county’s mill rate from $3.98 to $3.72 per $1,000 of assessed value, a change they believe will benefit taxpayers while strengthening the county’s borrowing power.
The $2026 budget includes $1.2 million in capital projects and nearly $929,000 for employee raises — a point of debate among supervisors. Some argued higher pay is needed to stay competitive with neighboring counties, while others voiced concern about adding costs for taxpayers.
Kautza confirmed that the full county board will take up the proposal later this year.
Comments