‘As a $550 billion company, Walmart has the means to pay their fair share in taxes’ – Mayor Kristopher Hanus

By Eileen Persike

Editor

RHINELANDER – Rhinelander Mayor Kristopher Hanus has vetoed action taken by the Common Council last week regarding a proposed settlement with Walmart and their tax assessment agreement.

In a letter to council members Friday, Hanus said Walmart has the means to pay their fair share in taxes.

“After going back and forth about this decision over the last couple days, I concluded that I do not believe that the proposed settlement agreement is in the best interest of the city of Rhinelander,” Hanus wrote. “I respect the council decision to make this agreement, and understand your reasoning behind it. However, I ask you, as the deciding body, to take another look at this topic and explore other possible options that may better service the city of Rhinelander.”

Rather than giving Walmart, a $550 billion company a tax break, Hanus wrote that the city should “look towards the small mom-pop businesses rather than multinational conglomerates – ‘the Little Guy’ – who is the backbone of our community.”

According to Hanus’ letter, the settlement approved by council would allow Walmart to reduce by a total of $30,000 its annual pay to the school district of Rhinelander, Nicolet College, Oneida County and the city of Rhinelander.

“To large corporations like Walmart, this amount is merely a drop in the bucket,” Hanus wrote. “To our local agencies, however, this cut could have deep ramification for years to come.”

Hanus also outlined the services provided to the store by the city, including the Rhinelander Police Department responding to 143 calls to date this year and more than 30 calls, year-to-date by Rhinelander Fire Department and EMS.

“These are just some examples of the local services that this company property relies on to make their business work,” Hanus wrote. “I believe this, in part, supports the reasoning for them paying their fair share in taxes.”

Hanus noted his “point of contention” is the property was assessed at a value of $13 million in 2016; in 2017 the assessment was challenged and reduced via settled to $12 million. In 2022, an addition was built and an interior remodel took place. “Yet, ultimately,” Hanus wrote, “they now believe this property is worth less. I respectfully disagree.”

The Council will revisit the issue at the Aug. 26 meeting. It will be placed on the agenda for discussion and potential action.