BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – The Brown County Taxpayers Association is expressing concerns in connection with the proposed sales tax….but it’s not about the tax itself.
Association President Rich Heidel notes “when it comes before the county board next Wednesday, that, I believe, marks only the 15th day since this plan was made public.”
The board could vote on County Executive Troy Streckenbach’s proposal to implement a temporary half-percent sales tax, which he predicts could generate $147,000,000 over six years.
Those funds would be dedicated to nine debt and infrastructure projects, including replacing the aging Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena with a new expo hall.
Streckenbach expects the plan would also provide $21,000,000 in property tax relief.
Heidel feels a number of questions should be answered before a vote.
“Nancy Pelosi with her famous ‘let’s pass it before we see it’ quote, this almost makes her look like the tortoise in the hare and tortoise race.”
His concerns include: what will happen if other municipalities do not follow Ashwaubenon’s lead in committing their room tax revenues to the project, whether all nine projects have been adequately scoped and estimated, and whether this proposal is in accordance with state statute.
Heidel believes the nine projects should be presented individually to ensure they are thoroughly reviewed.
“It’s the age-old phenomenon where you throw enough projects into a package like this, it becomes very difficult for county supervisors not to vote for the package, as long as it means they get one or two of their pet projects in there.”
While the Taxpayers Association has not issued an opinion on the plan itself, Heidel notes he is not personally a fan.
Heidel is concerned with the roughly 6:1 ratio of new revenue to tax relief, offering up an extra $120,000,000 for ‘expanded government,’ and projects amongst the nine that would be ‘hard to sign on to as a county board member.’
The plan has been endorsed by a group of business and community leaders as well as multiple local agencies tied to tourism.
