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“Concerned Citizens of Sheboygan” will host a drive-through petition signing event on Thursday, June 18 from 3:30 – 5:30 PM in the parking lot of Emil Mazey Hall at 5425 Superior Avenue, Sheboygan. Eligible voters residing in the City of Sheboygan are being encouraged to sign the petition which is “designed to ensure Sheboygan taxpayers have a direct voice when the City seeks to enter into large Tax Incremental District, or TID, commitments exceeding $10 million.”
Organizers say the effort is about transparency, accountability, and giving taxpayers a stronger voice in major financial decisions. If passed, a city-wide referendum for TID projects exceeding $10 million in commitments would be required for public approval, and non-disclosure agreements in their development would be prohibited.
Responding to the issue in May, Mayor Ryan Sorenson called the effort “…ultimately an obstructionist approach that would exacerbate the ongoing housing shortage and increase costs for residents and business alike”…”placing political hurdles in the way of development…”
Organizer Lisa Salgado countered that Sheboygan has not brought in any new businesses with TIDs in the past 2 years with Administrator Bradley, and that TIDs are being used to raise property taxes.
Thursday’s event is part of an effort to gather the at-least 2,599 signatures required for the petition to move forward.
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