BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – The Brown County Taxpayers Association’s president responds to criticism of his group’s recently-filed lawsuit.
The suit alleges the county’s newly-implemented half-percent sales tax is being illegally used to evade state laws on levy limits.
County officials say the suit goes against the Association’s mission, by passing additional costs onto property taxpayers.
Rich Heidl says they’re fighting to ensure transparent government.
“We are in favor of several of these projects, but it needs to be done legally. Doing what’s legal should not be a function of a benefit-cost analysis. If the costs are higher by complying with the law, then the county is going to have to make some tough decisions and set some priorities.”
He counters claims that the suit would harm property taxpayers, saying out-of-county residents would not contribute as much of the sales tax revenues as the county projects.
“We can show where that 30% is inflated. The number is more closely around 11%.”
Heidl reacts to the county calling on his group to immediately drop its lawsuit.
“I find it discouraging. I would much rather be involved in a discussion, a debate about the interpretation of the law.”
The sales tax revenues are meant to help fund $147-million dollars worth of infrastructure projects.
