Business owner and residents consider Racine Co. sales tax and property taxes

The change to her cash register will be simple enough, but the adjustment small business owner Marci Bruley fears is how Racine County’s new sales tax will affect her customers.

“Well, as a small business owner it’s scary. I mean, we’re in tough times right now. We all know about inflation,” Bruley said. “We are all having a hard time.”

The Racine County Board last Thursday approved the increase to add 0.5% to the state’s 5% sales tax, leaving just two Wisconsin counties, Waukesha and Winnebago, without one.

“It was kind of a waiting game for me,” Bruley said. “I think we held on until inflation wouldn’t let us anymore.”

However, there was one thing residents did not expect: a last-minute change to the provincial ordinance. Instead of the original proposal to set aside $10 million of projected tax revenue for property tax relief, board members settled on $2 million.

Watch: Business Owner and Residents Consider Racine Co. Sales and Property Taxes

Business owner and residents consider Racine Co. sales tax and property taxes

“I feel like they did a bait and switch at this point,” Waterford resident Paul Beyerl said. almost everything is gone there.”

Bruley told TMJ4’s Tahleel Mohieldin that despite concerns about her business, she understands the province’s need to fund public services and help support nonprofits in the community.

“As a person who lives in this community and owns multiple businesses,” Bruley said, “we really cannot afford to lose any more law enforcement.”

She hopes more will follow by the time the tax takes full effect in April 2025.

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