Title
Resolution requesting the Governor and Wisconsin State Legislature to protect local businesses, apartment owners, and homeowners from tax shifts by passing legislation to close the Dark Store and Walgreens property tax loopholes.
Body
WHEREAS, homeowners in Wisconsin pay nearly 70% of the total statewide property tax levy; and
WHEREAS, the disproportionate burden of property taxes on homeowners will worsen unless legislators take action to close loopholes in property tax law that some national chain stores use to gain substantial reductions in property taxes; and
WHEREAS, lawsuits in Wisconsin are forcing local governments to lower the market value of thriving national chain stores, shifting the tax burden to local businesses, apartment owners, and homeowners; and
WHEREAS, some national chain stores in Wisconsin have argued in communities across the state that the assessed value of their property for property tax purposes should be only half of its actual value on the open market; and
WHEREAS, some national chain stores are using what is known as a “Dark Store” strategy to argue that the assessed value of a new, thriving store should be based on comparing their buildings to vacant or abandoned stores from a different market segment; and
WHEREAS, legislation to close these tax loopholes has been drafted, introduced, and subject to public hearings by the Wisconsin Legislature; and
WHEREAS, this legislation has sufficient bipartisan support in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature to pass with wide margins; and
WHEREAS, there is only one more legislative session day remaining in the current legislative calendar.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Common Council of the City of West Allis does hereby urge the Governor and the Legislature to protect local businesses, apartment owners, and homeowners from tax shifts by passing legislation to close the Dark Store and Walgreens property tax loopholes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Common Council directs the City Clerk to immediately send a copy of this resolution to Governor Scott Walker and the City of West Allis’ legislative delegation.
ADM\ORDRES\2018\ADVR2018.01