Local boards approve budgets, school bond

Wayne County, Dodge County and Wausau approved 2027 budgets, while the Wawasee School Board authorized a $1.5 million bond for facilities and equipment. Wayne County’s budget passed after discussion of staffing costs and a $20,000 transfer from the building fund to salaries; the total budget was unchanged. Dodge County approved a $213 million budget with a $39.2 million tax levy, while rising property values lowered the mill rate by 6% compared with last year. Wausau’s budget passed 7-4 and adds about $72 to the city portion of taxes on a $200,000 home; alders rejected a proposal to use reserves to limit borrowing, which is expected to exceed repayments by $4 million. Wawasee officials said the bond will support maintenance, technology and vehicle needs as the district faces declining revenues, and also discussed cost increases and remaining work on its middle school pool renovation.