Business Owner, Residents Consider Racine Co. Sales Tax, Property Tax Exemption

The change to her cash register would be simple enough, but small business owner Marcie Bruley worries how Racine County’s new sales tax will impact her customers.

“Well, as a small business owner, it’s scary, I mean we’re going through some tough times right now. We all know inflation,” Bruley said. “We are all struggling.”

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

“It was kind of a waiting game for me,” Bruley said. “I think we held out until inflation let us.”

What residents didn’t expect, however, was a last-minute change to the county ordinance. Instead of an initial proposal to set aside $10 million of expected tax revenue for property tax relief, board members settled on $2 million.

Watch: Business Owner, Residents Consider Sales Tax Racine Co. and property tax benefits

Business Owner, Residents Consider Racine Co. Sales Tax, Property Tax Exemptions

“I feel like they’ve done a bait and switch at this point,” said Waterford resident Paul Beierl. almost everything is from there.”

Bruley told TMJ4’s Tahlil Mohieldin that despite fears for her business, she understands the county’s need to fund public services and help support community nonprofits.

“As someone who lives in this community and owns multiple businesses,” Bruley said, “we really can’t afford to lose any more law enforcement.”

She hopes others will follow by the time the tax fully takes effect in April 2025.

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