- New Berlin Budget Hub
- About the City Budget
About the City Budget
The City of New Berlin’s annual budget is a comprehensive financial plan that outlines how public funds will be allocated to deliver services, maintain infrastructure, and support the community’s needs. It reflects the City’s priorities—such as public safety, roads, elections, parks, and administrative functions—while ensuring financial responsibility.
The budget consists of two major parts:
- Operating Budget: Covers day-to-day services such as police and fire protection, elections, and recreation.
- Capital Budget: Funds larger, long-term investments such as road construction, facility upgrades, and equipment purchases.
Understanding the Budget Process
STEP 1: It All Begins With a Budget Plan
Just like households must balance their income and expenses, the City of New Berlin prepares a budget each year to ensure it can deliver essential services—such as public safety, road maintenance, and elections—within its available resources.
Departments submit budget requests outlining their expected expenditures and available revenues. These are reviewed by the Finance Department and the Mayor, who work together to develop a balanced budget proposal. The draft is presented to the Committee of the Whole for review, followed by a public hearing and adoption by the Common Council, typically in November.
STEP 2: Determining the Property Tax Levy
Once projected revenues from sources like state aid, fees, and permits are identified, the City calculates how much additional funding is needed to meet its obligations. This funding gap is filled through the property tax levy—the amount the City must collect from property owners to fund general operations.
Due to relatively high property values, New Berlin receives less state shared revenue, placing greater importance on local property taxes for maintaining essential services and financial stability.
STEP 3: Calculating the Property Tax Rate
The tax rate is calculated by dividing the total levy by the total assessed value of all taxable property in the city. This rate, expressed per $1,000 of assessed value, determines how much each property owner contributes.
Formula: Tax Levy ÷ Total Assessed Value = Property Tax Rate
STEP 4: Understanding Your Property Tax Bill
Once the mill rate (tax rate per $1,000) is established, it’s applied to your property’s assessed value. For example, if the City’s mill rate is 4.70 and your home is assessed at $460,000, your City tax would be approximately $2,162.
This amount supports city services like police and fire protection, elections, road maintenance, and park operations. It is important to note this reflects only the City portion of your total property tax bill. You may also pay taxes to:
- Waukesha County
- A technical college (WCTC or MATC)
- A school district (New Berlin, Elmbrook, West Allis–West Milwaukee, or Muskego–Norway)
Each jurisdiction sets its own levy and tax rate, contributing to your full tax bill.
What is a Mill Rate?
A mill rate is the amount of tax owed per $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, a mill rate of 4.70 means you pay $4.70 in taxes for every $1,000 your property is worth. Click the tax calculator below to see how much of your property tax supports City of New Berlin services.
This resource was created with you in mind—to provide clear, accessible information about our city’s budget, services, and planning efforts.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at CitizenComments@newberlin.org.