Brown County sales tax faces new challenge

The Brillion News

WAUSAU – A March 24 decision by Brown County Circuit Court Judge John Zakowski, upholding the legality of Brown County’s half-percent sales tax, is now being challenged.

On May 20, the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL) notified the District III state Court of Appeals that it would be appealing Zakowski’s ruling on behalf of the Brown County Taxpayers’ Association (BCTA) and Frank Bennett, a citizen and BCTA member.

In 2017, the Brown County Board of Supervisors enacted the half-percent county sales tax, with the proceeds to fund nine capital projects – like a new Expo Center, STEM center, library projects, road construction and museum exhibits.

The BCTA challenge started when it sued the county in January of 2018, claiming the tax was illegal.

Brown County Judge William Atkinson dismissed that suit - not on the arguments, but on a technicality.

The county and BCTA both sought a court opinion and Zakowski ruled in favor of the county, and it is that decision which WILL is now ready to appeal on behalf of the BCTA and Bennett.

WILL said it is asking the Court of Appeals to invalidate the tax, which the county is using to fund big-ticket capital projects.

A complete story on this new development will appear in the May 28 print edition of The Brillion News.