SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) – A proposed wheel tax in Shawano was met with opposition from many in attendance at the budget hearing.
The city of Shawano voted against instituting a wheel tax after hearing opposition from residents.
“This wheel tax is unacceptable”
“We are sick of closed door sessions because you want to railroad something through and shove it down our throats.”
“You can’t spend more than you got”
The voices were heard by all.
The proposal of a $10 per vehicle addition to registration fees for the purpose of funding road projects in the city, was voted down 4-2.
Alderpersons voting against it said their vote reflected what the people wanted, even though most felt it could benefit the city.
“I am going to prove that I was listening tonight” Alderperson Lisa Hoffman stated.
After being accused of not being transparent enough, the council engaged in a lengthy discussion of what to cut instead, since the wheel tax was in the proposed budget.
Council members stated they had the discussions to prove they were transparent.
The council approved a 60 cent per $1,000 dollar increase, and will continue to look at budget cuts without a wheel tax.
City of Shawano residents are facing a tax increase, but no wheel tax, after multiple residents spoke out against it at the budget hearing.
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The Council spent two hours discussing what to cut instead of the wheel tax, and repeated that they had those discussions that night to prove their are transparent. The tax increase is 60 dollars on a one hundred thousand dollar property. More cuts in the budget are expected.
