Even though he would’ve liked to have had more citizens in attendance Manitowoc County 12th District Supervisor, Kevin Behnke, seemed pleased with the turnout last night for a Public Input Session on a proposal half-a-percent County Sales Tax. Behnke said about 30-people, including representatives from Newton, Centerville, Cleveland and Meeme, attended the session at Lakeshore Technical College. “A number of those municipalities are really in a bad state as far as their road conditions road conditions,” Behnke explained. “We would like to see the County Board pass the half percent sales tax.”
Behnke also tells SeehaferNews.com he distributed a small survey at the meeting asking if those in attendance believe the County should implement the tax. He received 19 responses with 13 people saying yes, and 6 voting no.
The proposed sales tax will go to the County Board for a vote on June 18th. But, the County’s Corporation Counsel believes it’s not an enforceable ordinance because it doesn’t distribute money to local school districts. Behnke..thinks the question of sales tax proceeds only going to municipalities should go all the way to the State Attorney General, and those in attendance agreed with 16 people saying yes, and only 3 disagreeing.
The local county supervisor said the proposal would have a 7-year sunset clause, meaning the County board would have to make a decision on its’ future after that time. The State Department of Revenue estimates such a tax in Manitowoc County would bring in $5.3-million per year. 70% of the amount would go to the County…with the remaining ‘30%’ directed to the cities, towns and villages. Meanwhile, County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer is adamantly opposed to implementation of a sales tax, saying in a recent Op-Ed quote, “Personally, I find it somewhat cavalier, if not arrogant, for those in power to tax people when the county doesn’t need the money.”