Westport, a town in Wisconsin, has found itself at the center of a development conundrum. With plans for future growth potentially altering the landscape, neighboring communities like Waunakee and DeForest have taken a cautious stance. The US Census Bureau data shows that Dane County has witnessed significant population growth since 2010, with new arrivals settling in areas like Waunakee and DeForest. These villages have expanded, while Westport has been caught in the middle, with its neighbors taking chunks over the past four decades.

Westport's Court Petition and Neighboring Reactions

Earlier this fall, Westport filed a petition in Dane County Court to incorporate as a village. Town leadership believes this move will slow the rate of growth in rural areas north of Lake Mendota. However, the reaction from neighbors has been less uniform. Middleton and Madison have worked with Westport, but Waunakee and DeForest have held back from expressing outright support. Waunakee's village board has held several closed sessions to set its legal strategy. Village Administrator Todd Schmidt said that at their October 7 meeting, the board authorized staff to file the necessary paperwork and that staff would follow the Wisconsin Statutes timelines. A court hearing on Westport's petition is set for Dec. 4, and if Waunakee or DeForest oppose, they will need to make their arguments on record.

Joint Comprehensive Plan and Growth Vision

Waunakee and Westport have a joint comprehensive plan that outlines the strategic vision for growth through 2026. The document designates the intended uses for land in both areas, including park space, farm fields, and future business parks and single-family homes. Westport's leadership hopes to have more say over this outlined development to slow growth within the would-be village. DeForest's future is not as directly tied to Westport in the immediate future, but Village Administrator Bill Chang acknowledges that some Westport properties are included in their future development plans. They believe the future land uses will create a more connected community.

Impact of Growth on Municipal Revenue

Wisconsin state law caps the amount of money communities can raise through property taxes. To fund necessary city services like road maintenance and increased police and fire coverage, communities can seek tax increases through referendums. But without relying on people to raise their own taxes, communities are dependent on growth and land. Neither Waunakee nor DeForest have raised concerns about levy limits in their statements, but Westport's incorporation as a village would limit their expansion options. This highlights the complex interplay between growth, municipal revenue, and community development.