October 9, 2024

By Lane Kimble

Communities across Wisconsin should receive a combined $281 million more to improve infrastructure and pay for essential public services.

That’s a piece of an estimated $1.5 billion overall in shared revenue for 2025, which Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday.

The $281,188,016 comes in the form of “supplemental county and municipal aid” and must be spent on things such as police and fire protection, public works, and transportation.  A majority of the other shared revenue funding (more than $700 million) can largely be spent as communities see fit.

The shared revenue increases are the product of a bipartisan bill Evers signed into law last year.  It boosted the amount the state sends to counties and municipalities by 20% based on a formula.

“I’m excited to see how the results of our historic shared revenue increases are going to help support communities and families across Wisconsin. We’re helping make sure our local communities can meet basic and unique needs alike,” Evers said in a release.

Shared revenue comes from state sales tax collections, which allows for growth in the future.