Town of Wilson property taxes could increase to cover land purchase
Town officials want to prevent the City of Sheboygan from buying the land
TOWN OF WILSON — An effort by the Town of Wilson to prevent the City of Sheboygan from buying land could cost town taxpayers.
Officials with the Town of Wilson submitted an offer to purchase of $1.79 million for the Thimmig Farm along Stahl Road. A majority vote from town residents is required for the Town of Wilson to purchase the land. A special meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 21st at 5:30 PM. Should voters authorize the town to purchase the land, property taxes could increase to cover the costs.
READ MORE: Town of Wilson fighting back against Sheboygan, seeks approval to buy farmland
The City of Sheboygan wanted to purchase the 74.43-acre property for nearly $1.5 million but the town and city kept submitting counter offers. According to City Administrator Casey Bradley, the city backed out of the deal once they felt it was no longer financially viable. Now, the question is being asked: Is the purchase financially viable for the Town of Wilson taxpayers?
Town officials have not been transparent about the process. A series of closed door meetings were held and information about the purchase was withheld from residents. WKTS News was only made aware from a tip from a source familiar with the Town Board’s actions. Town Chairman Matthew Fore has refused multiple times to answer questions from WKTS News about the town’s interest in the farmland. Supervisor Nancy DesJardins has also refused to answer questions. The lack of transparency is causing alarm for some town residents and some are asking what the town’s plan will be for the land.
"Does the town have a development plan to pay for this real estate investment besides raising everyone’s taxes?" asked town resident Matt Gartman. His question has not been answered by the Town Board. In fact, town officials have ignored a number of questions and are pushing for residents to approve the purchase.
Elected leaders, such as Fore and DesJardins, answer to the public. They don't get to avoid important questions because they feel it doesn't serve their interests to answer. It's our job at WKTS News to be persistent. We're not asking on behalf of ourselves; we're asking on behalf of the public. And the public deserves to know how and why their tax money is being spent, and how large purchases will affect their property taxes in the future. Fore’s continued refusal to answer questions is a red flag.
In documents posted to the town’s website, the purchase price is deliberately withheld. Town officials have not explained how the purchase will affect property taxes.
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This WKTS story on the Thimmig Farm purchase paints a misleading picture—one that aligns more with the City of Sheboygan’s development agenda than with the long-term interests of Town of Wilson residents.
Let’s be clear: this land purchase is not some reckless or secretive move that will hike our taxes. It’s a strategic investment. Contrary to the story’s alarmist tone, this acquisition is far more likely to preserve surrounding property values, generate future tax revenue, and protect the character and independence of our town.
Unlike the City, the Town of Wilson has an up-to-date comprehensive plan—this parcel is already designated for residential development. The City of Sheboygan, meanwhile, is four years behind on updating its state-mandated comprehensive plan. That speaks volumes about which municipality is thinking ahead.
The Town can sell the land to local developers, bringing in new revenue and future residential tax base—revenue that we would permanently lose if the City were to annex or develop the land themselves. This move is fiscally sound and rooted in long-term planning—not tax increases.
Let’s not forget what happened across the road. The City acquired the Gartman property and now plans to drop in high-density, low-cost apartment complexes in a location with no schools, no public transportation, no grocery stores, and no nearby services. That project is also behind schedule, revealing a pattern of poor execution.
Additionally, the City’s development model relies heavily on Tax Incremental Districts (TIDs), which delay the collection of property tax revenue for years. This tactic often shifts the tax burden onto existing residents, creating revenue shortfalls in the meantime. By contrast, the Town’s approach is more balanced, sustainable, and beneficial to current and future taxpayers.
The WKTS report criticizes Town officials for a lack of communication, but it’s worth asking: why isn’t WKTS investigating the City’s failures to update its comprehensive plan or finish the Gartman project? Why isn’t it asking whether the City’s speculative push into rural neighborhoods is what really threatens local taxpayers?
This land purchase isn’t a risk—it’s a safeguard. It protects our town’s future, maintains our planning authority, and ensures development happens on our terms, with input from the residents who live here.