Port Washington Tax Increment District referendum passes, giving residents more say in future major projects

PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A referendum in Port Washington is giving residents hope they will have more of a say when it comes to their community.

"We were looking for ways so we could give the community a little bit more of a voice, and found this direct legislation,” said Michael Beaster, Port Washington Alderman Elect for Ward 6.

While Port Washington residents lost the fight in stopping the highly opposed Vantage Data Center from setting up shop in their backyard, a new Tax Incremental District (TID) referendum is giving them hope.

"Any large projects like the Vantage TID would in the future need the voters to support them.”

Beaster who's also with Great Lakes United, helped get the TID referendum on Tuesdays ballot, wanting residents to have a voice in future major projects funded through tax incremental districts.

"The community is kind of saying we don’t want to do this again in the future without us being able to weigh in, but you’re right it is also kind of symbolic to give other communities tools and things like that as well,” said Beaster.

The referendum passed, which means moving forward, there must be voter approval for future TID projects costing $10 million or more.

This win won't impact the Vantage Data Center project since it was approved before the referendum passed.

Beaster says it will help the city moving forward and hopes other cities learn from Port Washington and do the same before it's too late.

"We are working with other communities, and trying to give them tools, as well from what we’ve learned with our project here," said Bester. "Trying to give them a little bit of a playbook to understand how they can organize quickly."

The issue is what inspired Beaster to run, and Tuesday he was approved by voters. He says while there is no stopping the data center project, he will continue to hold vantage accountable.

“I want to make sure that Vantage is being a good neighbor and they’re protecting our air quality and that you know temporary workers moving in aren’t affecting the safety of people who live in the community and things like that," said Beaster. "So, cautiously optimistic that we can work together."