MOSINEE, WI (WSAU) — Mosinee Mayor Brent Jacobson is not among those who were throwing enthusiastic support behind the recently-passed American Rescue Act, but he also admits his city is in no position to turn down the funding when it hits their coffers.
Like many other local leaders, he’s still wondering what exactly the funds can and can’t be used for, and how much they’ll get. But right now he’s under the impression that they’ll be getting somewhere in the neighborhood of $400,000
“You’re not going to turn the money down to make a point because for a small community like Mosinee returning [that kind of money] to the federal government has a nominal impact,” said Jacobson. “But it troubles me. I don’t feel like a taxpayer in Morgantown, West Virginia should be paying for utility infrastructure in the City of Mosinee or any other community in the state of Wisconsin.”
Jacobson is a known conservative who once considered a run for the 7th Congressional District seat that was vacated by Sean Duffy. He’s also been known to try to hold the line on the city’s tax rate as much as possible, meaning $400,000 can do a lot to help the city catch up on overdue utility projects.
Jacobson says what really rubs him the wrong way is the potential for the nearly $2 trillion package to create inflation, which could hurt residents in the long run through higher costs for goods.
“As more money chases fewer goods, you’re infusing a substantial amount of money into a fractured supply chain. It’s a perfect storm for inflation which [really makes me concerned] for the health of our country.”
He did add that the bright spot for the Mosinee residents will come when those projects are completed without any impact on their tax bills.
Jacobson didn’t specify what projects would take priority once the city receives the funding.
Other topics Jacobson discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- The story behind your Zoom background
2:40- The pandemic, one year later
7:45- What may continue post-pandemic
11:00- What to do with the American Rescue Act funding
14:20- Upcoming construction work on Highway 153
Comments