Racine Sun

Racine voters are set to decide if they want to raise property taxes by $2 million as part of a plan to fund 11 new police officers.

The issue will be on the August ballot after the Racine Common Council recently voted 9 to 5 to present it to locals as a referendum. The estimated 3.5% increase would translate to an owner of a $100,000 home paying about $53 extra per year.

"We've certainly seen a spike this year in crime and gunshots,” Racine Mayor Cory Mason told WISN.com in supporting the measure. “You know last year we had three murders for the entire year. We're at six already for this year and it's not even summer. It's a real commitment of resources, but we hope it's also a real commitment, and an investment in public safe."

If passed in August property taxes would increase at the beginning of 2023, with the Racine finance director adding $1.5 million would go toward salaries, benefits, training and equipment and the remaining funds would be used for other crime detection and prevention measures.

In addition, around $150,000 in subsequent years will be used for the general cost of living increases.

"So, this is really about giving voters a voice in whether we want to invest more in public safety, or not," Mason said.

Homeowners WISN 12 News spoke with appear split on the issue.

"I'm afraid to even sit in the backyard. We have a small fire pit. I'm afraid to sit out there at night," Linda Witek told WISN, while Maria Martines added "I pay a lot of taxes for this house every year. Every year the taxes go up, go up, go up every year."  

If the positions were unable to be filled, the funds would temporarily go back into the general fund to use for public safety and law enforcement.