Winnebago County executive rolls out web site to explain sales tax proposal

In an effort to fully explain the rebirth of his sales tax proposal, Winnebago County executive Mark Harris has rolled out a new web site called Cut Winnebago Property Tax.

As proposed last year – though it failed at the county board level – Harris is again proposing a half-percent sales tax, saying it will capture several million dollars in revenue, much of which will come from tourists, and all of which will go toward providing some level of property tax relief for county residents, in one way or another.

This is especially important for city of Oshkosh residents as we talk about possible cuts in services and/or the possibility of a tax increase, should the referendum to exceed the property tax levy be approved. According to Harris, besides an overall property tax reduction based on where you live, what you spend your disposable income on, how much you spend, where you spend it, etc., a percentage of the dollars generated by the additional sales tax would come directly back to the city, presumably benefiting city taxpayers even further.

This evening Harris presented his proposal, in the form of a Power Point presentation, to members of the county board. That same presentation can be found online at the Cut Winnebago Property Tax web site. (* please note that you do not need to have a Power Point program installed on your computer in order to review the presentation.)

When visiting the web site – which Harris has paid for on his own (he also plans to run radio ads and/or other forms of advertising paid for out of his own pocket because he believes so strongly in the need for and benefit of this proposed sales tax) – viewers will find four sections about the sales tax proposal: Why Change Is Necessary; How It Works; a Savings Calculator; and how to Contact Your County Board Supervisor.

People are encouraged to review Harris’ proposal, use the calculator and either contact him (at 920-236-4896) or their own county board supervisor (see directory on Harris' web site) with additional questions or to voice their support for or concerns with the proposed sales tax.

Mr. Harris will be appearing on Eye on Oshkosh in early November to discuss the sales tax proposal. Anyone who has any questions they would like us to ask for them, should email them to us or post them here and we will be happy to ask them of Mr. Harris when he appears on the show.