Outagamie County Board Approves Half Percent Sales Tax

The Outagamie County Board has approved a half percent sales tax increase, a debate that has been ringing throughout Manitowoc County for quite some time as well. The measure passed by a lopsided 28-4 vote last night, with four members of the board absent. County Executive Tom Nelson has been vocal with his opposition to the tax, and said he would veto the measure, but the wide margin by which it passed would overcome the veto. Nelson says that he has to think about what his next course of action will be. The minute tax hike is expected to bring in around $20 million per year, which reportedly would go toward property tax relief, capital improvement projects, and assisting local governments in the county.  The Manitowoc County Baord will be voting on the same half percent tax increase on June18th, and also have vocal opposition from County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer.