Village of Rib Mountain. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
VILLAGE OF RIB MOUNTAIN, WI (WSAU) — Walmart and Sam’s Club have filed another assessment challenge with the Village of Rib Mountain over the assessment values of its stores.
According to a news release from the Village, it’s the latest in a line of challenges dating back to 2017. Previous challenges were tied to the so-called “dark store” loophole, which allowed big-box retailers to be valued as if they were vacant. A Wisconsin Supreme Court decision struck a blow to that theory in 2023 when justices unanimously sided with the City of Delavan in its assessment of a Lowe’s store.
Despite that decision, the Village says Walmart and Sam’s Club have continued to challenge their assessed value, something that Village Leaders say is costing them time and tax revenue. “We rely on our assessor to establish fair values, yet repeated challenges by Walmart and Sam’s Club require the Village to file claims with its insurance carrier. Those claims can result in legal expenses costing tens of thousands of dollars,” said Village President Allen Opal. “The pressure to avoid more costs can lead to settlements for lower values, which means lost revenue for local services. We are calling on legislators—and on Walmart and Sam’s Club corporate leadership—to stop this burden on small communities like Rib Mountain.”
Tuesday’s release also calls for “State legislators to provide lasting relief from recurring assessment litigation with clarification of the provisions of State Statute 70.32 and calls on Walmart and Sam’s Club corporate leadership to end repeated challenges that force small communities to spend local resources defending fair assessments or settle for lower values that reduce local revenue.”
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