Politics
Green Bay November Referendum on Brown County Sales Tax Increase: Effects on Household Costs and Road Maintenance
Voters in Green Bay will decide on a half-cent sales tax increase that the Brown County Board projects would raise $12 million annually for local road and bridge repairs starting in 2027.
How we reported this
Green Bay residents will vote November 3 on a countywide referendum to raise the sales tax by 0.5 percent, with proceeds restricted to transportation projects inside Brown County boundaries.
Why the Measure Reaches Voters This Year
The referendum follows the expiration of a prior 0.5 percent tax that ended in 2025 and funded the last round of county highway resurfacing. County documents show that 38 percent of Brown County roads currently rate as poor or very poor condition according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2025 pavement report.
City residents drive an average of 28 miles daily on those roads for work and errands, according to the Green Bay Metropolitan Planning Organization travel survey. A sales tax change would apply at every retail point inside the county, including downtown stores and east-side supermarkets.
Local Analysts and Resident Views
Policy analysts at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay note that households spending $25,000 yearly on taxable goods would pay roughly $125 more each year under the new rate. Local advocates note that the added revenue would target 47 specific segments listed in the county's 2026 capital improvement plan, including stretches of Mason Street and Lombardi Avenue.
The legislation states that funds cannot be used for salaries or general operations and must be audited annually by the county treasurer. Community voices in recent county board hearings have focused on how repaired roads could reduce vehicle repair costs for delivery drivers and school bus routes serving the 20,000 students in the Green Bay Area Public School District.
The government says the policy will complete 22 miles of resurfacing and replace two aging bridges by 2030 if approved. Ballots will include the exact question language published by the Brown County Clerk on June 15.