Kewaunee and Sheboygan Are Among the 10 Wisconsin Counties That Don't Collect a Sales Tax

And now they're thinking about joining the club.

Cuts lead officials in Kewaunee, Sheboygan counties to consider sales tax. (Green Bay Press Gazette, 4/24/2011)

Excerpt: Faced with mounting costs and potential cuts in state aid, officials in Kewaunee and Sheboygan counties are considering new countywide sales taxes.

Officials in both counties acknowledge the political risks of dipping further into taxpayers' pockets in the current climate of government austerity.

Critics of the half-cent sales tax concept in Kewaunee County already are considering recalling County Board members who support the idea.

But with county budgets being squeezed anew by Gov. Scott Walker's attempts to reduce government spending, some county officials are willing to reach for the previously untouchable option of imposing new taxes.

Mark O'Connell, executive director of the Wisconsin Counties Association, said he would not be surprised if more counties consider a local sales tax in response to Walker's proposed cuts in state aid, despite widespread public opposition.

"I do think counties will look at it," he said. "They might not have any choice.

The vast majority of counties in Wisconsin — 62 out of 72 — already collect a half-cent sales tax, as state law allows in addition to the 5-cent sales tax collected by the state."

Related article:
Outagamie County ponders the sales-tax option.  (7/31/2009)