In response to comments on a proposed 0.5% county sales tax at an August 7 Finance and Personnel Committee meeting, acting County Supervisor Thomas Roanhouse called for property tax relief if a sales tax is implemented.

The county announced Roanhouse’s property tax relief proposal on August 9.

According to the county, the ordinance would require that 51% of sales tax revenue be used for the property tax abatement.

“This adjustment was made to better align with the needs and priorities of the community,” said Casey Morgenson, Racine County communications manager.

According to Morgenson, property tax abatement is one of the permissible uses of county sales tax in Wisconsin.

In addition, the county’s property taxpayers “will inevitably receive a tax break” if a sales tax is implemented because the tax base will be expanded to include nonresidents who purchase goods in the county, county records show.

Morgenson said the estimated $22 million in revenue from implementing a 0.5 percent county sales tax is not expected to change as a result of the property tax relief proposal.

At a district council meeting on August 13, eleven citizens commented on the sales tax proposal: three were in favor, eight were against.

The Supervisory Board is expected to make the final decision on the introduction of a district sales tax at its meeting on November 4.

Public hearings on the sales tax are scheduled for August 21 and September 4 at 5:00 p.m. at the Finance and Personnel Committee meetings and September 10, September 24 and October 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the County Board meetings.

All public meetings will be held at the Ives Grove Office Complex, 14200 Washington Ave. in Sturtevant.