There was so little support for a proposed Shawano County wheel tax, it almost didn’t even get voted on by supervisors at their Feb. 26 meeting.
When Chairman Tom Kautza asked for a motion to adopt the measure so it could be discussed, supervisors sat in silence until Joe Miller spoke.
“The reason I did that (made the motion) – we all have a responsibility to our constituents so they know exactly what our position is on this,” he said. “I stated my position at the last county board meeting that I opposed it. I’m not supporting the action. These folks have a right to know how we feel about this issue.”
In the end, the measure failed 26-0 with one member absent.
Supervisor Randy Mallmann was among several supervisors who attended a Feb. 20 informational meeting about the wheel tax. About 100 residents attended and voiced opposition to the proposal.
“Overwhelmingly, it was understood people are not happy with this idea,” he said. “It kind of changed my mind. Granted, it was a small percentage of actual people in the county, but then again, so are 27 supervisors making this decision. I am changing my vote to a no, and I’m just encouraging my colleagues to do the same.”
Supervisors Terry Tipton and Dennis Knaak echoed Mallmann’s comments.
Supervisor Jeremy Gretzinger attempted to amend the resolution enacting the tax by removing part of one of the clauses that led to the final resolution statement.
He said Shawano County will actually receive additional funds from the state, as noted in Act 12 and Act 19 that state the county will receive an additional 2.3% in aid in 2025 and thereafter. The initial clause said the state and federal governments continue to reduce funding available to the county.
The amendment failed 16-10.
The proposal was to create a $20 annual wheel tax on vehicles up to 8,000 pounds, not including those exempt by state law. There are about 37,350 eligible vehicles in the county, and the tax would generate $747,000 in annual revenue for the county.
The intent was to provide the Shawano County Highway Department with a source of funds in addition to other funding sources currently being utilized to maintain highways, bridges and other transportation related purposes.
The tax would not necessarily mean there would be additional funds for the highway department. Money regularly allocated to the highway department from the general tax levy could be reallocated to other departments.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
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