By Daily News Staff

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Barring any last minutes additions or subtractions, Oneida County taxpayers will be responsible for a tax levy of $15,082,573 in 2009, up slightly from $14,748.217 in 2008.

Although the tax levy is up slightly, the rate per $1,000 of equalized property value has dropped from $2.03 to $1.96. As a result, a person owning a $100,000 home should pay $196 to the county in property taxes in 2009.

The county’s total budget is projected to be $51,659,911. The tax levy is only part of the county’s funding system. The rest of the money needed to keep the county in business comes from sales tax and other revenue.

The county is not the only entity that receives property tax dollars. The rest of a property owner’s tax payment goes to the local school district, Nicolet College, the township, state, and other special districts. According to Oneida County Finance Director Margie Sorenson, the county tax levy represents only 17 percent (on average) of a property tax bill.

Sorenson said the average Oneida County taxpayer will likely see a “very slight” increase in the county portion of his or her tax bill this year.

Taxpayers who own property in municipalities where property value assessments have increased will be paying a little more this year. Taxpayers who own property in municipalities where property value assessments have decreased will see a slight decrease in their bill.

Sorenson said the budget is about as lean as it can be without a corresponding decrease in services.

She also noted that Oneida County continues to have one of the lowest tax rates in the state. According to a 2007 study, Oneida County had the fourth lowest tax rate ($1.97) that year.

A public hearing on the budget will begin at 9:35 a.m. today in the county board room at the Oneida County Courthouse.