COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Minutes - 11/13/2018
Unapproved
CITY OF MUSKEGO
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
November 13, 2018
5:40 PM
City Hall, W182 S8200 Racine Avenue
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Chiaverotti called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Alderpersons Wolfe, Hammel, Borgman, Kapusta, Engelhardt, Kubacki and Madden.
Also present: City Attorney Warchol, Public Works and Development Director Kroeger, and
Deputy Clerk Blenski.
STATEMENT OF PUBLIC NOTICE
The Deputy Clerk stated the meeting was noticed in accordance with the open meeting law.
NEW BUSINESS
Dark Store Update
Mayor Chiaverotti gave an update on the Dark Store issue. Several big box businesses are
challenging their assessed values by comparing their properties to what are referred to as “Dark
Stores.” Dark Stores are ones that have closed. Many municipalities are struggling with this
issue and facing legal challenges. The legislature needs to close this tax loophole.
Unfortunately, contact with legislators has not been positive. The League of Wisconsin
Municipalities has put a sample Resolution together that the Mayor would like the Committee to
consider. She has revised it to fit Muskego’s situation. The “Dark Store Theory” does not
impact the City of Muskego as much as it does other municipalities because our commercial tax
base is only 9.5%. There have been 100’s of lawsuits throughout the State of Wisconsin, which
have forced assessors to artificially slash the market value of thriving national retail stores
shifting the tax burden to small businesses and homeowners. The Committee unanimously
agreed to have a Resolution to close the dark store loopholes on the next Council agenda.
ADJOURNMENT
Alderperson Madden made a motion to adjourn at 5:53 p.m. Alderperson Kubacki
seconded; motion carried.
Minutes taken and transcribed by Jill Blenski, Deputy Clerk.