News
October 17, 2024 | By Benjamin Yount
Policy Issues
Accountable Government Economy

Even More Opposition to Proposed Waukesha County Sales Tax

Waukesha County’s Business Alliance has already come out against the sales tax, and on Wednesday, Waukesha County’s Republican Chairman did the same.

“This 0.5% increase will be permanent and FAR AND ABOVE exceeds the stated shortfall of $5 million. This tax increase will raise $60+ million every year!”

- Waukesha GOP Chairman Terry Dittrich

The pushback against Waukesha County’s proposed half-a-percent sales tax continues to grow.

The county’s finance and executive committee on Monday approved the new sales tax plan. That sets-up a vote in front of the full Waukesha County board next week.

“Waukesha County’s financial hurdles are long-standing and complex. Months before Monday’s vote, I personally met with Board members to outline our revenue strategy,” County Executive Paul Farrow said in a statement earlier this week. This plan promises property tax reductions and essential investments in infrastructure and public safety, putting us in a stronger competitive position.”

Farrow has said Waukesha County needs to create a sales tax in order to bridge a $5 million budget gap.

Waukesha County is one of just two counties in Wisconsin that currently doesn’t have a local sales tax.

Waukesha County’s Business Alliance has already come out against the sales tax, and on Wednesday, Waukesha County’s Republican Chairman did the same.

“The Republican Party of Waukesha County adamantly opposes the sales tax being proposed by our County Executive. Our membership believes that the Board is NOT allowing enough time for the public to have a voice in the proposed tax increase in Waukesha County,” Chairman Terry Dittrich said. “This 0.5% increase will be permanent and FAR AND ABOVE exceeds the stated shortfall of $5 million. This tax increase will raise $60+ million every year!”

Dittrich said the people of Waukesha County need to be heard, and need to speak-up.

“Ample dialogue and transparency are required. The people deserve to be heard!,” Dittrich said. “Please contact your County Board Representative TODAY!”

Oconomowoc county supervisor Wayne Euclide was one of two to vote against the sales tax increase on Monday.

He echoed Dittrich’s concerns.

“I just am not in support of a government agency collecting more money than it needs in filling a budget gap. I can’t support that,” Euclide told The Waukesha Freeman. “The main thing is I can’t support collecting all that extra money and then trusting that we’ll be Santa Claus and figure out how to distribute it to everybody.”

Waukesha County’s sheriff on Thursday came in favor of the tax increase. He said the extra money could be used to provide more services, or just cover the cost of the services he’s already offering at the county jail.

Waukesha County Board is set to meet Tuesday at 7 p.m.

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