Council approves $19,780 settlement with Ethnos 360 over tax-exempt status

The Waukesha Common Council voted unanimously to approve a settlement that will refund $19,780.01 to Ethnos 360, resolving two lawsuits over whether properties owned by the organization qualified for tax-exempt status under Wisconsin statutes.

City counsel Brian summarized the history: the city and Ethnos 360 litigated disputed exemptions going back to 2022; a prior decision had split properties’ treatment and later rulings indicated the occupants met categories that could qualify them for exemption. Given the court’s direction, city staff and counsel negotiated a settlement covering the contested years. Brian said Ethnos 360 agreed to waive statutory court costs and attorney fees, and the settlement releases both parties from further claims on these matters.

A council member asked how the assessor determines who resides at the properties; Brian described the assessor’s use of questionnaires and periodic reviews and said the city can re-evaluate exemptions if property use changes. Brian emphasized the city’s interest in protecting the tax base because exempt properties shift tax burdens to others; he noted roughly 30–31% of the city’s land area is exempt from taxation by virtue of government, school and other exempt uses.

Alderson Moulson moved to approve the settlement; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The settlement covers tax refunds only; Brian said Ethnos 360 waived court costs and fees but the refund represents only taxes paid on properties the court found to be exempt. The council did not authorize additional policy changes at the meeting.