Financial Information
Graph #1
In this graph, you can see how the tax rate in Fond du Lac County compares with neighboring counties. If we add $400 million to our debt, we will have the highest tax rate in the area. It will be 2x that of Outagamie County and 4x that of Washington County. Homeowners and businesses look to tax rates when they consider locating in a county. This large increase in the tax rate will affect economic development.
Graph #2
In this graph, you can see where FDL County ranks in the state in the % of allowable debt that is used. It is about 16% of the maximum allowed according to state law. (the maximum is 5% of the county equalized property value). That way below the highest in the state which is at about 45%.
If Fond du Lac County adds $400 million in debt, Fond du Lac County will be at almost 85% of allowable debt. This will be the highest in the state by almost 40 percentage points.
Graph #3
Fond du Lac County per capita debt is just under $600. The highest per capita debt in Wisconsin is about $2400. If Fond du Lac County adds $400 million in debt, we will have the highest per capita debt in the state at $4400. This is $2000 more that the current highest county.
Chart #4
This is the cost estimate chart presented to the Ad Hoc Committee and the County Board by Samuels Group, the jail consultant. Multiple options are shown to detail what estimated costs may be for the different projects. One major consideration is the construction of a juvenile facility. Generally, out of county juveniles are billed at a much higher rate ($400). There are only 11 counties in Wisconsin with juvenile secure detention.
