Sturgeon Bay taxpayers could be paying more money to the city depending on how two lawsuits progress in the coming months. The city and Wal-Mart continue to discuss the property tax assessment of its property alongside Egg Harbor Road. Like many big-box stores across the state, Wal-Mart is arguing it should be paying less in property taxes based on the status of stores that sit empty, commonly known as the “dark store theory.” Closer to the water Stone Harbor Resort and the city have brought in separate appraisers to assess the east side property after taxes there were argued to be too high. City administrator Josh Van Lieshout says the money has to come from somewhere if they have to pay back the two entities.
TID #2 is in good shape according to Van Lieshout, so the impact of a reassessed Stone Harbor Resort would be relatively minimal. Van Lieshout will give full updates on the two lawsuits during Tuesday’s Sturgeon Bay Common Council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at city hall.