After nearly two hours of debate, Racine General Council voted 9 to 5 to put a referendum on the August ballot, asking voters to raise property taxes by $2 million to fund 11 new police. In August, voters will decide if they want to levy a property tax. estimated increase of about 3.5%. According to CFO Racine, $1.5 million will be paid out by about $53 a year. The rest of the money will be used for other crime prevention and detection measures. Mayor Racine Cory Mason told WISN 12 News that he proposed the referendum due to the alarming rise in violent crime. “crime and shootings. You know, last year, we had three homicides all year. This year we’re six and it’s not even summer yet,” Mason said. “It’s a real commitment of resources, but we hope it’s also a real commitment and investment in the public safe.” If passed in August, the property tax would increase in early 2023. That’s when the City could hire more employees. However, those officers will need to go through the academy before officially joining. Voters have a say on whether we want to invest more in public safety,” Mason said. “I’m afraid to even sit in the backyard. We have a small fire pit. I’m afraid to sit out there at night,” said Linda Witek, “I pay a lot of taxes on this house every year. Maria Martines said: “This is not something I buy a house for.
After nearly two hours of debate, the Racine General Assembly voted 9 to 5 to put the referendum on the August ballot, asking voters to raise property taxes by $2 million to fund 11 officers. new police.
In August, voters will decide whether they want a property tax increase of about 3.5%. An owner of a $100,000 home will pay about $53 more per year.
The money will fund 11 new police officers.
According to CFO Racine, $1.5 million will be paid for their salaries, benefits, training and equipment. The rest of the money will be used for other crime prevention and detection measures. Thereafter, an additional $150,000 in subsequent years will be used towards an increase in the overall cost of living.
Mayor Racine Cory Mason told WISN 12 News that he proposed the referendum due to the alarming rise in violent crime.
“We’ve definitely seen a spike this year in crime and shootings. You know, last year we had three homicides in the whole year,” Mason said. we’re already six and it’s not even summer.” “It’s a real commitment of resources, but we hope it’s also a real commitment and investment in the public safe.”
If passed in August, the property tax would increase in early 2023. That’s when the City could hire more employees.
However, those officers need to go through the academy before officially joining.
If positions cannot be filled, funds will be temporarily returned to the general fund for public safety and law enforcement use.
“So this is really about giving voters a voice on whether we want to invest more in public safety,” Mason said.
The host WISN 12 News spoke to Wednesday was split on the issue.
“I was afraid to even sit in the backyard. We had a small fire pit. I was afraid to sit out there at night,” said Linda Witek.
“I pay a lot of taxes on this house every year,” says Maria Martines.
“This is not something I buy a house for,” said Kathie Barlow.
