City road funding could receive a boost later this summer if the Sturgeon Bay Common Council approves the second reading of its Premier Resort Area Tax ordinance Tuesday.
The second reading comes after the Common Council supported the ordinance at its first meeting of the new year. The 2025-27 state budget allowed the city, along with the town of Minocqua, to join other tourist-oriented communities such as Ephraim, Sister Bay and Wisconsin Dells in charging an additional 0.5% tax on items typically associated with tourism, excluding essentials such as gasoline and groceries.
Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward said earlier this month the city has sought for about a decade to implement a PRAT to help fund infrastructure improvements.
If approved, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue would take over administration of the tax and notify retailers to begin implementation. Ward said the tax likely would not take effect until July.
In addition to the second reading of the PRAT ordinance, the Common Council is also expected to consider approval of the 2025 Outdoor Recreation Plan, which includes the potential to establish new parks and make improvements to more than two dozen other recreational areas.
The meeting, which also includes a closed session to discuss negotiations with the firefighters’ union, begins at 6 p.m. at Sturgeon Bay City Hall.
