Port Washington approves Tax Increment District to fund data center infrastructure, tempers flare at council meeting

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Frustrations are heating up in Port Washington over the future data center that will be built north of the city. It comes as the funding negotiations are winding down.

Dozens more people spoke out against the plan at the latest Common Council meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 18. But the mayor insists it will not cost taxpayers anything.

On one side, the city of Port Washington is checking off the final boxes to allow this project to move forward. But, on the other, a large group of homeowners and stakeholders continue to speak out against the project and look for any opportunities to delay the start.

Tempers again ran high Tuesday. Michael Gauthier of Port Washington chastised the mayor and Common Council Tuesday night, yelling at them, “You idiots. You f***ing idiots.” He was led away by police officers.

The data center is already a done deal after the council previously approved the plan months ago.

And on Tuesday afternoon, the Joint Review Board unanimously approved a Tax Increment District (TID) to fund the infrastructure needed to support the center.

Mayor Ted Neitzke says the city has now met 99.9% of its obligations to begin. “It’s a pay as-you-go TID for the city. It will cost the local taxpayer community nothing.”

But that’s not easing concerns for dozens of people, many of whom again lined up to criticize the plan and the process.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Maureen Jajtner of Port said, “Building something that is not needed or wanted is not wise.”

And Mike Jenkins of Belgium asked those in the audience, “How many in this room are concerned on any level about this project?” When dozens of hands went up, Jenkins told the council, “Sure looks like the will of the people to me.”

Neitzke insists the city is sensitive to the worries. “We built almost all of those concerns into our developer’s agreement or our zoning code.”

To address some of them proactively, the city has an FAQ sheet ready at every meeting to explain where the project stands and what discussions have previously taken place.

And he says they’ve been open about the entire process since negotiations began months ago. “So there’s a difference between lack of transparency and paying attention too late,” Neitzke told us.

Mike Beaster lives in Port and is a member of Great Lakes Neighbors United. He admits there could be some truth to that. He told us, “I, personally, sat on the fence, hoping others would step up to fight. And I first got involved six or eight weeks ago when it started feeling more real.”

Beaster and others are concerned with the financial and environmental impacts.

They pledge to keep showing up. But they’re not confident they’re making a difference. “Not at all,” he told us. “That’s why we keep coming to these meetings and trying to make our voice heard.”

He and other allies recently submitted a petition to cap the Tax Increment District. They’re waiting for a response.

In the meantime, they plan to keep trying. Beaster said, “I want to continue to fight for it, and to preserve this beautiful city.”

No funding issues were voted on at Tuesday night’s full council meeting. The only issue related to the data center was the closure of a private road that falls inside the future property.