CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Calumet County voted Tuesday night to do something most counties in the state have already done.
That’s add a half a percent sales tax.
Supporters in Calumet County say it’ll help pay for some much-needed work in the county, but others are skeptical of a new tax.In the end, the board voted 11-to-7 to add it.
During Tuesday’s Calumet County Board meeting, three people spoke to the board, asking them not to add a half percent sales tax.
“Vote no. Thank you,” said Jeff Yelton of Stockbridge.
Board members who support the added tax told us restrictions from the state on property tax rates and a growth spurt in the northwest part of the county have put pressure on funds.
Calumet County Board co-chair Merlin Gentz tells Fox 11….
“That’s what has led us to look at that half percent sales tax 65 out of 72 counties have gone that route.”
The state already imposes a five percent sales tax across the board and allows individual counties to add a half percent for county projects.
“It’s five cents on a ten dollar purchase, it’s 50 cents on a 100 dollar purchase and five dollars on a 1,000 dollar purchase,” explained Gentz.
Those against the idea, like Yelton, said the tax might sound small, but it’s not fair to put on citizens.
“Could this just be another tax to feed an insatiable government appetite? Do you think farmers and other businesses want another tax and bureacracy ?”
Yelton also said the county should have taken its time and done more research before trying to vote on the measure.
“How many of you think it’s a good idea to address a temporary issue, like debt level, with a permanent tax that never goes away?”
But Gentz says supporters said the additional two to three million new dollars, each year, would be a big help for capital improvements and would help offset property taxes.
“Buildings, bridges, infrastructure so we can really keep track of where we are spending those dollars.”
The new half-percent sales tax would go into effect in April. Brown County just passed a similar sales tax, which goes into effect in January.
Outagamie and Winnebago counties have not yet added one.
