BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A new proposal under discussion is asking Brown County to share some of the money it collects with area municipalities.
A portion of the county’s sales tax revenue would be used.
“It’s the taxpayers’ money. It’s the people of Brown County’s money,” Brown County Supervisor Patrick Evans said.
Evans is proposing the county share a portion of its half-percent sales tax revenue with every Brown County municipality. The county receives millions of dollars in total tax revenue per year from the tax.
“I believe it’s time that we need to really have a hard discussion and say, ‘How can we use these dollars that are pouring in — $25 million on average a year — to help the municipalities?'” Evans said.
He said municipalities are struggling, but clarified it wouldn’t be the entire sales tax — just a percentage of it. The goal is to assist municipalities with things like tax relief or infrastructural projects, but direct use is still to be determined.
“We have our federal government trying to help state. We have state government helping the counties’ county government. We want to help our local municipalities, and that’s what it’s about,” Evans said.
But not everyone is on board with Evans’ proposal. Others said municipalities should be on their own.
“If Green Bay needs more revenue, then Green Bay should do what Milwaukee did,” Brown County Supervisor Ron Antonneau said. “You know, our legislators should be able to make that happen.”
Antonneau is referencing Milwaukee’s two cents per dollar sales tax increase that went into effect in 2024. After months of negotiation, the state gave Milwaukee permission to raise its city sales tax.
Antonneau would prefer to see Brown County keep the money for itself to help reduce debt among other projects, rather than give it away.
“If they need that kind of revenue, and it’s important for them to take away from the county — rob Peter to pay Paul — I think the best way to do it is what Milwaukee did,” Antonneau said.
This proposal is still in its early stages. Evans said the Brown County Board of Supervisors would still need to determine parameters for how money is used and what amount municipalities would get.
The proposal will go to the Administration Committee in mid-January. If approved, it would go into effect in 2027.
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