Lake Country Trail extension and Moorland work included in Waukesha County capital plans

For the next five years, Waukesha County has envisioned projects that touch on popular topics, like trails and roads, though it remains to be seen what will be included in final budgets.

Regardless, the county's 2025-2029 Capital Projects Plan, which incorporates a variety of spending priorities as part of an ever-evolving planning cycle, at least provides an advance glimpse of what might happen if budget dollars allow.

The details aren't extensive at this point, and supervisors on the County Board won't act on the five-year planning document until Oct. 22, eight days after the various board committees make their final recommendations. But here's what the county has in mind, based on the plan presented by County Executive Paul Farrow this week.

Lake Country Trail moves toward long-sought connection

The Lake Country Recreation Trail , a 15-mile paved path that runs from Waukesha to Oconomowoc, has been the subject of capital improvements in recent years, but county and other regional officials see even more opportunity ahead.

The county is considering including $74,000 — its share of a $2 million project funded by federal, state and local partnerships — for a 21⁄2-mile trail extension linking the Lake Country Trail at Roosevelt Park in Oconomowoc with the Jefferson County Interurban Trail at the Waukesha/Jefferson county line. (According to the Jefferson County parks website , the Waukesha County portion is a 1-mile connection.)

If approved, construction would take place in 2026.

Another busy stretch of Moorland Road would get rehabilitated

Moorland Road, which overall stretches from the city of Brookfield to the core of Muskego, could see another round of fixes in 2025 under the county's five-year plan.

This time, work would involve the segment in New Berlin between Cleveland Avenue (the route which, among other traffic, includes vehicles to and from the New Berlin West school campus) and National Avenue (a major route that cuts across the entire western suburban area into the heart of Milwaukee).

The project, listed as a rehabilitation project (not a full reconstruction) is estimated at $5.2 million.

Collapsed salt dome in Waukesha will be replaced

A salt dome that caved in , presumably under the weight of 20 inches of heavy snow in January, will likely be replaced in 2025 in a $1.5 million project.

The 37-year-old dome, which stored thousands of tons of salt used for winter road maintenance, was the oldest of three at the Waukesha County Highway Operations center along Woodburn Road just east of Grandview Boulevard in Waukesha.

Waukesha County Courthouse work continues for another year

Waukesha County's main campus on Moreland Boulevard in Waukesha will continue to undergo a makeover in 2025.

The courthouse itself, built in 1959, has been the focus of renovations, remodeling and additions since 2019, when the demolition of some old courthouse space heralded new construction more recently. In 2025, $20.4 million will be allocated to continue to enhance security while also renovating the second floor of the East Wing as well as the space in which the Waukesha County Board meets.

Construction will continue in 2026 and wrap up in 2027, county officials said.

Future Waukesha County budget may include county sales tax, but not in 2025

Farrow acknowledged that budget cuts will be evident in 2025 as the county deals with an expected $5 million deficit. But how that affects capital projects won't be known until the final budget is approved in October, he said.

"It's our duty to exercise prudent financial management to safeguard taxpayer dollars," Farrow said in a statement discussing the capital budget. "However, it is equally important to invest in key infrastructure and community improvements that will drive long-term growth and enhance the quality of life for our residents. Balancing fiscal responsibility with strategic investments ensures a prosperous future for Waukesha County."

As previously reported, the county is considering a 0.5% county sales tax . About three-quarters of the members of a special budget task force this summer recommended that the county consider new revenue options to balance future budgets. But that action won't be immediate, Farrow said in his regular newsletter Thursday.

"I want to assure you, any new revenue option won't be in our 2025 budget, and discussions about which option best serves our residents will be starting very soon," Farrow wrote in the letter addressing residents.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at .