Aug. 10, 2024 10:10a
(WGTD)---Interim Racine County Executive Tom Roanhouse is recommending that just over half of the revenue generated by a proposed county-wide sales tax be earmarked for property tax relief.
WGTD reported last week that piggybacking a half-percent tax on the state’s 5% sales tax is under consideration by Racine County officials. The first indication came with a legal notice in the Journal Times that established an Aug. 21st public hearing on the matter.
Since then, Roanhouse has come out with a statement indicating that any ordinance establishing a county-wide sales tax should include a mandate that at least 51% of the revenue be set aside for property tax relief.
A half-percent county-wide sales tax is expected to generate at least $20 million for the county. By comparison, the county’s current property tax levy is $62 million.
Meeting as a Committee of the Whole, the county board Monday night is expected to get its first formal look at the proposed ordinance.
A series of public hearings have been scheduled.
An up or down vote is expected to be part of the budget process that concludes in early November.
Roanhouse has said he supports the sales tax, saying the county is faced with inflation, strict levy limits and escalating community needs. On the other hand, Roanhouse said he remains committed to what he called “fiscal responsibility”, including avoiding the creation of new county positions. He also favors adding a million dollars to the county’s reserves.
Racine County is one of only three counties in the state that currently does not have a county sales tax.
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