For the Tomahawk Leader
LINCOLN COUNTY – The Lincoln County Highway Department will host an informational public hearing regarding Resolution 2020-12-50, “authorizing an advisory referendum and approving official referendum question language (exceed levy limits by $700,000 for each year from 2022-2026 to fund highway operations and maintenance).”
The hearing will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, in the County Board Meeting Room at the Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N. Sales Street, Merrill, and virtually via Zoom.
“Under state law, the increase in the levy of the County of Lincoln for the tax to be imposed for the next tax year (2022) is limited to .530%, which results in a levy estimated at $14,071,977,” a release from the Highway Department stated. “The Question is: Shall the County of Lincoln be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy by $700,000 for each year 2022-2026 for the purpose of funding Highway Department operations and road maintenance?”
Under state law, no political subdivision may increase its levy in any year by a percentage that exceeds the political subdivision’s valuation factor.
“This has severely limited the County’s ability to fund ongoing Highway Department operations and road maintenance,” the release said. “The additional $700,000/year levy has an estimated $26.40 tax impact on a $100,000 home.”
Lincoln County voters will vote on the referendum in the April 6 election.
A “yes” vote would indicate agreement with exceeding the levy limits by $700,000 each year (2022- 2026) to fund Highway Department operations and road maintenance, while a “no” vote would indicate disagreement with exceeding the levy limits.
For more information on the referendum, visit www.co.lincoln.wi.us.