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Brown Deer survey: residents report high satisfaction with public safety, mixed support for tax increases and riverwalk project
Summary
Haley Wilkinson, an administrative intern for the Village of Brown Deer, presented results of the village's March–April 2025 community survey to the board; 720 residents responded, showing high satisfaction for public safety and strong support for a proposed Riverwalk but mixed support for tax increases.
Haley Wilkinson, an administrative intern for the Village of Brown Deer, presented results of the village's March–April 2025 community survey to the Village Board on the evening the board met.
The non‑scientific survey drew 720 responses. “Residents were most satisfied with police enforcement, fire protection, elections and the library,” Wilkinson said, noting marked year‑over‑year improvements in many service ratings. Public Works services such as garbage and recycling, water quality and park maintenance all scored in the 90s for satisfaction, she said.
Wilkinson told trustees that road maintenance and planning/zoning were among the lowest‑rated services, but that road‑maintenance dissatisfaction fell substantially compared with 2023. She also reported demographic gaps: younger residents and renters were underrepresented among respondents.
The survey tested support for several potential tax‑funded initiatives. Respondents supported a Riverwalk along the Milwaukee River and Beaver Creek (64% yes, 21% no, 13% no opinion). The village asked whether residents would support adding officers to the police department; Wilkinson said 58% answered yes, 32% no and 10% had no opinion. Staff characterized the estimated tax impact on a $250,000 home as roughly $60–$220 per year depending on the size of the hiring plan.
Wilkinson said residents did not support, on balance, raising taxes for environmentally sustainable initiatives (35% yes, 47% no) or enhanced leaf‑collection services (34% yes, 56% no). She added the village collected open‑ended comments and can provide them on request.
Village staff and trustees discussed survey distribution and representation. Derek (village staff overseeing finance and surveys) acknowledged the limitations of an open, non‑scientific survey and said staff will consider targeted outreach to renters and younger residents for future iterations.
No formal action was required; trustees and staff said the results will inform policy and budget decisions in the coming year.
