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Resolution establishing an annual reporting and disclosure process to provide transparency regarding the portion of the Wauwatosa School District levy attributable to private school voucher and 2R independent charter school programs
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WHEREAS, property tax bills issued to Wauwatosa residents include the total levy attributable to the
Wauwatosa School District; and
WHEREAS, portions of the school district levy collected through property taxes are used to fund private school choice programs and 2R independent charter school programs under Wisconsin state law; and
WHEREAS, these costs are not currently itemized or clearly identified for taxpayers on the property tax bill or accompanying tax bill materials; and
WHEREAS, on December 11, 2025, the Wauwatosa School Board adopted a Property Tax Transparency Resolution encouraging the City of Wauwatosa to develop an annually recurring method to notify residents of the cost of private school voucher and 2R independent charter school programs on their property tax bills; and
WHEREAS, other Wisconsin municipalities, including the City of Green Bay, have implemented similar transparency measures by adding informational language to the property tax bill identifying the portion of the school district levy attributable to private school vouchers; and
WHEREAS, providing this information will increase transparency and improve public understanding of how property tax dollars are allocated within the school district levy;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Wauwatosa Common Council directs the development of an annually recurring method to notify Wauwatosa residents of the portion of the Wauwatosa School District levy attributable to private school voucher and 2R independent charter school programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Wauwatosa School District shall provide the total levied amount generated by private school voucher and 2R independent charter school programs to the City of Wauwatosa Finance Director by November 10 of each calendar year for the purpose of preparing annual property tax bill materials; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Wauwatosa Finance Department shall include the following informational disclosure on the informational insert accompanying the annual property tax bill: “Of the amount levied by the Wauwatosa School District, $xxx.xx is for the purpose of private school vouchers.” with the dollar amount updated annually based on the information provided by the Wauwatosa School District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the inclusion of this informational statement is intended solely to provide transparency to taxpayers and does not alter the calculation of the school district levy or property tax obligations.
By: Government Affairs Committee
recommendation
Recommendation: Approve 5-1