Members of Waukesha County's Executive Committee on Monday recommended to the County Board that it oppose any imposition of a regional tax to finance the construction of a new Milwaukee arena. The vote was 7-0. The full County Board will consider the resolution at its Dec. 17 meeting.
The Waukesha County resolution also opposes any regional tax for possible renovation of the Wisconsin Center convention center or "any other cultural or entertainment venue in Milwaukee."
The move echoes other resolutions passed by the county boards in Racine and Ozaukee counties. Washington County has not taken any action.
The Waukesha County resolution also opposes any regional tax for possible renovation of the Wisconsin Center convention center or "any other cultural or entertainment venue in Milwaukee."
The move echoes other resolutions passed by the county boards in Racine and Ozaukee counties. Washington County has not taken any action.
Herbert J. Tennies, chairman of the Washington County Board, said Monday his board would wait for further information coming out of the new 48-member Cultural and Entertainment Capital Needs Task Force before taking a stand.
That task force will meet for the first time on Friday. It expects to spend a year reviewing the capital needs of the various cultural and entertainment institutions in the region, and come up with recommendations. The action by county boards in Ozaukee, Racine and Waukesha counties is a pre-emptive strike of sorts in opposition to a regional tax.
No governmental body, state legislator or local elected official has suggested that a regional tax to finance the construction of a new multipurpose arena or improvements in other cultural or entertainment facilities be put in place.
But there has been speculation that the 0.1% Miller Park stadium tax, put in place in 1996 and collected in Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Milwaukee and Racine counties, could be extended.
Extending the sales tax would be difficult. The tax must first satisfy all outstanding financial obligations to pay off the Miller Park stadium debt. And the state Legislature would have to pass new legislation.
Milwaukee County Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic said Monday that, in her view, Milwaukee County voters in 2008 voted on a measure to beef up funding for parks, transit, paramedics and to lower property taxes. The advisory referendum was approved by a margin of 52% to 48%. Then-County Executive Scott Walker opposed the measure.
"Milwaukee County has a long, proud tradition of being a major supporter of parks, recreation and the arts," she said in a statement. "However, we cannot do it alone. These regional assets need regional support from our partners."
Dimitrijevic, a member of the new panel, said she would seek feedback from residents on a future course of action. She plans two open "Coffee & Culture" chat sessions.
That task force will meet for the first time on Friday. It expects to spend a year reviewing the capital needs of the various cultural and entertainment institutions in the region, and come up with recommendations. The action by county boards in Ozaukee, Racine and Waukesha counties is a pre-emptive strike of sorts in opposition to a regional tax.
No governmental body, state legislator or local elected official has suggested that a regional tax to finance the construction of a new multipurpose arena or improvements in other cultural or entertainment facilities be put in place.
But there has been speculation that the 0.1% Miller Park stadium tax, put in place in 1996 and collected in Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Milwaukee and Racine counties, could be extended.
Extending the sales tax would be difficult. The tax must first satisfy all outstanding financial obligations to pay off the Miller Park stadium debt. And the state Legislature would have to pass new legislation.
Milwaukee County Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic said Monday that, in her view, Milwaukee County voters in 2008 voted on a measure to beef up funding for parks, transit, paramedics and to lower property taxes. The advisory referendum was approved by a margin of 52% to 48%. Then-County Executive Scott Walker opposed the measure.
"Milwaukee County has a long, proud tradition of being a major supporter of parks, recreation and the arts," she said in a statement. "However, we cannot do it alone. These regional assets need regional support from our partners."
Dimitrijevic, a member of the new panel, said she would seek feedback from residents on a future course of action. She plans two open "Coffee & Culture" chat sessions.
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