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Council narrowly approves Walmart tax-settlement refund, 6–1
Summary
The Common Council authorized a settlement with Walmart for property tax assessments for 2024–2025, approving a refund of $41,485.28; Council member Larson voted no and voiced concerns about fairness to other taxpayers.
The Oshkosh Common Council on June 10 approved Resolution 25-305, authorizing a settlement with Walmart for property tax assessments for tax years 2024 and 2025 and a refund in the amount of $41,485.28.
Council member Larson said he would vote no, describing the settlement as unfair to other commercial taxpayers and expressing frustration that Walmart used litigation processes to seek refunds. Larson said that although the "dark store" loophole had been closed by state law, Walmart had pursued other legal strategies and the company was using the process because it could. "I have a really hard time with that," Larson said, explaining his dissent.
Council member Nichols noted the gross refund on the agenda was about $41,485.28 but said the net cost to Oshkosh taxpayers would likely be about $17,000 because multiple taxing jurisdictions will receive portions of the refund. Nichols and others said settling would likely be cheaper than prolonged litigation and associated legal fees.
The motion to approve the settlement passed on a roll-call vote, 6–1 (Larson opposed). The clerk recorded individual votes. Staff said the assessor's office participated in the settlement process.
The resolution directs the treasurer and assessor to execute the settlement and process the refund as required by statute and interjurisdictional distribution rules.
