Kenosha Families Deserve to See Where Their Money Goes.
We are organizing concerned residents to educate their neighbors, improve public policy at the local level, and lessen our tax burden. Are you in?
Kenosha's economic uncertainties by the numbers
Kenosha's economic challenges are real and persistent. Here is the data behind the local failures.
The city of Kenosha carries the highest median property tax bill of any municipality in Kenosha County, more than double the national median of $2,400
Kenosha ties up 10.4% of its property value in Tax Incremental Financing districts, more than three times the rate used by Racine, Madison, or Eau Claire. TIF revenue gets diverted away from schools and other public services for years, all with limited public visibility into how those dollars are actually spent.
Kenosha residents already pay for an elected mayor to run the city. On top of that, taxpayers fund a separate city administrator position, now advertised at up to $251,184 a year, to handle much of the same day-to-day leadership. Residents have publicly asked why the city needs both roles at full executive pay. It's a fair question city hall hasn't had to answer.
Wisconsin homeowners pay one of the highest effective property tax rates of any state in the country, and Kenosha residents feel it directly, carrying the heaviest tax burden of anywhere in Kenosha County.
What's Driving It
Policy Failures
A Financing Tool That Keeps Your Money in the Dark
Kenosha ties up more than 10% of its total property value in Tax Incremental Financing districts, over three times the rate of Racine, Madison, or Eau Claire. TIF is one of the least transparent tools local government has: it diverts tax revenue that would otherwise fund schools and county services, often for decades, with minimal public reporting on results. When one city leans this hard on a financing tool built to be hard to track, residents lose the ability to see where their money is really going.
A Broken State Formula, Passed Down to Local Taxpayers
Wisconsin's property tax structure ranks among the heaviest in the nation, and the state has done little to meaningfully lighten that load for homeowners. Local governments like Kenosha are left working within a tax framework set in Madison, one that consistently leaves residents carrying one of the highest tax burdens in the country, regardless of how responsibly the city itself budgets.
We Need Leaders Like You
Communities like yours need leaders to change children's outcomes. They're protected by driven residents who show up, speak out, and take action.
Education
Learn how the local government functions, how to speak at community events and to board members directly.
Connection
Connect with a growing network of neighbors who share your concerns and are ready to stand together and demand change.
Action
Get practical tools to participate in school board and other city government meetings, submit public comments, and hold local officials accountable.
Support
Ongoing help from experienced community advocates who've successfully driven change across Kenosha and other parts of Wisconsin.
Are You In?
Submit your information and our team will personally reach out to you.
We will never sell your or share your information.