Dane County budget ups property tax $31.84 on average home

The Dane County Executive’s Office said property taxes will increase by about $32 in 2016 based on the new budget revealed this week.

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced the recommended 2016 budget at a news conference Thursday morning at the United Way Dane County on Atwood Avenue.

Parisi’s office said the budget totals more than $572 million, coming in about $500,000 below the state-imposed levy cap. The budget increases taxes on the average Madison home, valued at nearly $246,000, by $31.84.

The programs receiving the biggest budget allotments include $1.7 million for six new compressed natural gas snowplows, $750,000 for affordable housing developments, $750,000 for day resource center improvements, $500,000 for re-entry housing, $500,000 for lake cleanup, $500,000 for zoo bathrooms and $364,000 for new countywide recycling stations.

In a news release, Parisi said he 2016 county budget includes a focus on enhancing mental health services, protecting lakes and natural resources, and investments in services for community members with developmental disabilities and mental illness, according to a news release.

Dane County’s reserve fund totals $25 million. Parisi’s office said county taxes represent about 15 percent of an individual’s total property tax bill. The capital budget totals $35.9 million, a $6.4 million decrease from this year’s budget.

The county executive’s office previously said the county re-established its AAA bond rating through strict budgeting standards, efficiencies and partnerships.

Parisi’s recommendations will go to the county board Thursday night. A spokeswoman for Parisi said the board will discuss the proposed budget and vote on it in the next six weeks.