Oneida county is asking Kwik-Trip for an extension until May 1 concerning a major property purchase on Rhinelander's west side.
In special session Tuesday, the board asked for the extension concerning relocating the Highway Department shops to county land near the Highway 8 bypass.
Kwik-Trip would like to buy the 14 acre site near Highway 47 for $ 2.3 million. The Highway Department would have to move and the county would like to take more time to look at its options. Kwik-Trip has said besides a second convenience store at that location, they would like to develop other businesses in the extra space.
The board approved up to $20,000 toward hiring a consulting firm to look at options, including building a new facility, or rejecting the Kwik-Trip offer and repairing the current complex on Kemp Street, business Highway 8.
County Board Chair David Hintz recommended asking for an extension so the consulting firm's recommendations could be reviewed...
".....(Land Information Director) Mike Romportl and I called Kwik-Trip a few days ago, ran that by them. They did respond in writing they would have no problem extending to May 1, that they understand...."
Also in the mix is the possibility of the city of Rhinelander making the area a Tax Incremental District which uses tax money to maintain infrastructure. Supervisor Scott Holowinski suggested a referendum vote...
".....if we're going to move ahead on this, I believe we need to do a referendum. And if it's a 'no-brainer' like everyone is talking, then it should be a no-brainer for the taxpayers to approve it in a referendum...."
While many numbers were tossed around by board members, Hintz said they needed to get the consultant's recommendation before anything concrete could be decided.
After closed session, the board reported out asking Kwik-Trip for the extension.
