Winnebago County Board Delays Vote On Proposed 0.5% Sales Tax

The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors is considering implementing a 0.5% county sales tax, which would generate an estimated $20 million annually and is expected to reduce the property tax rate. The proposed tax, one of only two counties in Wisconsin without such a tax, would capture revenue from both residents and visitors, with about 30% of revenue projected to come from non-residents attending local events like EAA AirVenture and Lifest. The county is currently facing significant budget deficits, making the additional revenue crucial for addressing financial challenges and funding county needs. Officials emphasized that the resolution under consideration would simply instruct staff to prepare detailed analyses rather than immediately enact the tax. Public feedback has been mixed, and the board has postponed a final vote to allow for further discussion and review, with a potential vote scheduled for mid-September. If adopted, a portion of the revenue would be redistributed to municipalities based on population, aiming to balance local financial support.