Wisconsin cities and villages saw a sharp rise in spending in 2023, a trend fueled in part by sustained inflation and the rising cost of core services such as police, fire protection, and street maintenance.

According to data released by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the average operating spending per resident increased by 7.1% last year, climbing from $1,112 in 2022 to $1,192 in 2023.

The spike in municipal spending reflects a nationwide struggle to manage post-pandemic inflation while maintaining essential services. Local governments across the state have been forced to adapt to surging costs for labor, equipment, and fuel, particularly in public safety and infrastructure. At the same time, limited state aid and revenue caps have restricted how much flexibility many municipalities have t

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