GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay’s city council is shifting gears and changing a decision on spending its remaining excess Lambeau sales tax money.
Alderman Tom Sladek spoke with WLUK
“To completely turn our back on the taxpayers in a year when we got this windfall, I think is completely irresponsible” The city received its $5.3 million in excess sales tax money about a year ago. In September, the council voted to spend $2.8 million on infrastructure improvements, $1 million on economic development, and $300,000 to replace lead pipes. $1.2 million dollars had already been spent to pay off debt.
Now, facing the city’s first tax rate increase in five years, a few aldermen proposed taking money earmarked for infrastructure and using it to help property owners.
“My thought is eliminate that tax increase, give them a little bit of a break,” said Alderman John Vander Leest.
But Alderman Joe Moore thinks that’s the wrong way to go.
“We’re pulling this money away from projects like railroad crossings, lift stations, and street repairs. So, we’re just delaying it a year and we’re not going to get that work done”.
The alternative to using the excess Lambeau money would be a $21.76 tax bill increase for the average home, valued at $128,000.
Alderman Bill Galvin voted no. He says property owners haven’t had a tax hike in five years…and these projects are needed.
“I think they all understand at some point and time your taxes do have to increase, just like taking care of your home, sometimes that increases”
On a mayor tie-breaking vote, the council decided to use just more than $1 million in excess sales tax money to cover the spending increase.
“I think that gives us a year to really work at managing our operations,” said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.
Both sides say they plan to explore a variety of options to replace the one-time money next budget.
About $1.7 million of the excess Lambeau sales tax money will still be used for infrastructure improvements.
Specific projects for that money have not been identified yet.
