Waukesha Times

The Waukesha County Business Alliance has publicly opposed a proposed 0.5% sales tax in Waukesha County, which is set to begin on July 1, 2025. The Alliance expressed concerns about the rapid implementation of the tax, stating that it could exacerbate financial burdens on families and businesses already struggling with inflation and rising costs.

Members of the Alliance have voiced worries over the brief period between the ordinance's introduction and its scheduled vote, which spans only 19 days. They argue that this timeframe does not allow for adequate consideration and debate. According to the Alliance, adopting a 0.5% sales tax would generate significantly more revenue than necessary to address the county's projected fiscal gap.

The organization is urging residents to contact their County Board Supervisors before October 22 if they have strong opinions on this matter. The Alliance advocates for collaboration between county officials, state legislators, business leaders, and community members to find solutions that support economic growth without imposing excessive taxes.

Mark Belling commented on his radio show: “It would be shameful for any member of the County Board to vote for a higher tax than they need.” He further suggested seeking legislative approval for a smaller sales tax increase: “What these business leaders are saying is look why don’t we go to legislature, ask them to pass a bill to allow Counties to pass sales tax that is smaller than 0.5.”

Dan O’Donnell also criticized the proposal during his show: “There is no budget deficit right now; the upcoming county budget will not have a deficit. This is a solution quite literally searching for a problem that no longer exists.” He questioned the timing of the vote: “The final vote is apparently set in the county board for October 22... I don’t believe for a second that the timing is accidental.”

Local media outlets such as Waukesha Freeman, BizTimes Milwaukee, Fox 6 News, Dan O’Donnell Show, and MacIver Institute have covered various aspects of this opposition movement. These reports highlight concerns from local business owners about potential negative impacts on both small businesses and larger corporations.