Sales tax discussion for Winnebago County tonight

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— Winnebago County is one of only two counties in the state of Wisconsin that does not have a county-wide sales tax. During its meeting tonight, the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors will explore a sales tax during two agenda items.

But, County Executive Gordon Hintz said no action will be taken during Tuesday’s meeting that will result in a sales tax being implemented in the county.

Sales Tax Presentation

Tonight’s meeting features a presentation from Hintz on the pros and cons of a 0.5% sales tax in Winnebago County. He will discuss what the sales tax could be used for, how much revenue it could generate for the county, how much it would affect residents, and more.

“We’re one of two counties without the local option tax. You know, there are a number of reasons pro and con to consider it, but our property taxpayers subsidize services for non-residents who come here,” Hintz explained. “So when we host EAA or Lifest, the county provides services, that our taxpayers pay for.”

Hintz said his presentation will simply be a jumping-off point for the discussion on whether the county will even want to implement a sales tax.

“(I’m) Trying to just give thoughtful ideas. Because I mean, Winnebago County hasn’t really needed a sales tax. We’ve been well run for the past 40 years. We have the third-lowest property tax levy per capita in the state,” Hintz added. “But I also think it’s because the board hasn’t really determined what the best purpose for it would be.”

Hintz said about 20 to 30 percent of the sales tax, if implemented in Winnebago County, would come from non-residents visiting the county for one of its many tourist events. 

“We could capture revenue from people who don’t live here, just like they capture revenue from us. And as a county with a lot of events, you know, it’s not just Life Fest or EAA or Crossroads. We get $300 million of economic activity from our fishing and waterways and recreational boating and fishing tournaments,” he said. “We really are a pretty good destination for people, uh, to come here and spend money.”

In addition to Hintz’s presentation on what a sales tax could look like and do for the county, there is also a resolution on the agenda to direct staff to draft an ordinance that would adopt the county option sales tax, and would have 30 percent of the revenue generated being shared with local municipalities on a per capita basis. 

Resolution

That resolution, introduced by Supervisor and Vice Chairman of the Board Chuck Farrey, is just a direction to have the ordinance drafted. The resolution itself does not create a sales tax. 

If the resolution passes, the County Board would vote on the ordinance at a future meeting. The earliest the board could vote on a possible ordinance to establish a sales tax would be in October. Hintz said any discussion on a county-wide sales tax at Tuesday’s meeting will be just that: Discussion only.

Hintz said, “I expect the deliberation on Tuesday following the presentation, probably on the resolution. Some to be about the resolution. Some to be about whether a sales tax is a good idea or not. We’ll have to see where it shakes out.”

Hintz said if a half-cent sales tax is implemented in Winnebago County, estimates are that it would cost the average spender $100 per year or $8.33 a month. At the same time, it would result in approximately $240 in property tax relief for the median homeowner.

Waukesha is the only other county in Wisconsin that does not have the county option sales tax.  The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors meets tonight at 6:00 p.m.