Janesville board sets June 20 deadline for Walmart and Sam's Club subpoena responses

The Janesville Board of Review set a firm deadline for outstanding subpoena responses from Walmart Real Estate and Sam’s East Inc., requiring compliance by Friday, June 20 at 4:38 p.m. and warning that failure to produce requested records would prompt a motion to dismiss.

Assessor staff summarized the office’s subpoena activity for large commercial properties. The assessor said some owners complied fully, some provided partial responses and one property owner, Cambec Petroleum Corp., formally withdrew its case after receiving the subpoena. The assessor reported that NS Retail Holdings LLC (doing business as Festival Foods) had submitted requested documents and agreed to a waiver to circuit court; the board later approved that waiver.

On Walmart and Sam’s Club, the assessor said partial materials were provided but additional documents remain outstanding and no firm delivery date had been committed. The board discussed timelines and the assessor recommended giving the recipients until Friday to supply the remaining material; the board approved a deadline of June 20, 4:38 p.m., and noted the next step would be a dismissal motion if materials are not received.

The board also reported a recently issued subpoena for Parker Place properties; the assessor said the authorized agent is communicating and that materials were arriving in acceptable formats but the response due date is June 20. Board members emphasized uniform compliance timelines for commercial subpoenas and confirmed that follow-up sanctions — including dismissal for failure to comply — were the intended next step if companies do not meet the deadline.

The motion to set the deadline carried on a unanimous voice vote.