GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The Green Bay City Council is expected to decide on recommendations for using $4.2 million in excess Lambeau Field sales taxes on Tuesday night.
The recommendations from the city’s Finance Committee are that:
- $2 million be used for property tax relief
- $1 million for economic development
- $900,000 for infrastructure improvements
- $300,000 for lead water pipe replacement
But not everyone is on board with those ideas.
“This giving the money back to the property owners disenfranchises the renters in this community who’ve been renting in this community for many years, they’re the ones who’ve contributed in large part to this,” says Alderman Bill Galvin. “I’ve had probably 70 some (constituents) contact me, and that’s the most I’ve had contact me about any issue since I’ve been elected.”
Galvin’s idea will be to use that $2 million for new economic development projects, particularly ones which have not been presented yet.
“So there’d be a window opening up (if approved Tuesday) on the 17th, people would be able to fill out an application either in-person or online to put together a proposal for the economic development money,” explains Galvin. “We’ll have about 30 days for people put together an application, and then there will be a review process with a final decision based on recommendations in November.”
The former Green Bay police captain says he expects a contentious debate about the issue, however, Galvin is urging folks to speak up to other council members.
“If they’re not hearing it, then there’s a chance this could fail,” Galvin says. “But I think if enough Alders hear from enough voters that they don’t want the rebate, then I believe we’ll move forward with something different.”
Under state law, the money must be spent on economic development, debt reduction, or property tax relief. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. inside Green Bay City Hall.
