Decision on controversial Waukesha County sales tax postponed

 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The Waukesha County Board was expected to take up the controversial matter of implementing a county sales tax at Tuesday night's meeting, but the decision's been postponed for now.

We expected the meeting that started at 7 p.m. to be packed, but people who showed up started trailing away because the agenda item about the proposed sales tax was pulled minutes before the meeting started, leaving mixed feelings.

"What are we doing here? I took my night. I had other plans I cancelled tonight to be here," said Brody Jones, resident.

Frustration abounds outside the Waukesha County Board meeting Tuesday night.

"Walked in here tonight to find out it's postponed, so I’m guessing there are a lot of people that called in really irritated about it, to get more input on this," said Greg Nickels, resident.

Tuesday's Waukesha County Board meeting turned into a fast one, just 15 minutes start to finish, after Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow withdrew from consideration a county sales tax proposal. In a statement, Farrow said, "Postponing the measure will allow for more public input and provide an opportunity to educate residents on the county's financial challenges,"

"Heard we got the delay, which is a blessing, for sure, and so now hopefully, they can make their case for it. Perhaps the budget is needed, but I’m not convinced of that easily... so but I'm excited for them to actually make their case this time around," said resident David Gonzalez.

A number of people we met said there was no messaging from the county about this, that the first time they heard of it was on talk radio.

"I didn’t get anything in the mail, no. I live in Mukwonago, and I didn't get a single thing," said Jones.

"A budget change that increases the annual budget by $60 million is a lot to be taking from the people of Waukesha without any notice or any heads up. I'd heard nothing until a day and a half ago. When I heard, it was a surprise," said Gonzalez.

The sales tax ordinance, as it was written, had intended to help reduce property tax bills, but not everyone believes that.

"But again, you're taking it out of one pocket. Tell me you're gonna put it in the other? I just don't see that happening," said Nickels.

The Waukesha County Business Alliance has come out strongly opposed to the sales tax. The sheriff has said the sales tax proposal is not the solution anyone wants, but it's the only way to stop deep cuts in the sheriff's office.

There's been no decision yet as to when the sales tax proposal will be back before the board.