Brookfield board keeps 1% municipal grocery tax after debate over regressivity

The Village of Brookfield Board on July 14 passed an ordinance imposing a municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax at 1%. The measure, discussed at length under regular business, passed on a roll-call vote after trustees debated the tax’s impact on residents already facing rising costs.

Supporters said the 1% tax is not a new increase but a mechanism for the village to continue collecting a revenue stream the state no longer remits and to preserve funding for infrastructure and services. "We have limited options to raise local revenue for all the critical services we provide," one trustee said, noting the village’s need to fund water and street work.

Opponents cautioned that grocery taxes are regressive and can disproportionately affect lower-income households. "Residents are feeling the strain of rising costs and struggling to pay bills each month," a trustee said during the debate, urging attention to affordability as the board moves forward.

Staff clarified that the item represents a 1% tax and, according to presentation materials and discussion, it matches the state’s previous rate rather than raising the overall tax level. Trustees also referenced neighboring communities where the tax remains in place.

The measure passed by voice and roll-call. Trustees recorded in the meeting roll call included Ketchmark, Whitehead, Naramatsu, Cahuli and Kusni voting to approve; Trustee Hendricks recorded a "no." The ordinance will become part of the village code and staff said they would revisit tax and budget priorities in future years as needed.

The board’s discussion emphasized balancing revenue needs for projects—such as water-main and lead-service-line work—and concern for households that may be burdened by sales and occupation taxes. The board did not announce any immediate offsets or mitigations tied to the vote.