Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels reiterates his “strong support” for a half percent county sales tax. Speaking on WOMT’s “Be My Guest” program, Nickels says it’s imperative to use a projected $6 million the tax would generate to improve infrastructure.
Audio PlayerNickels cites in a recent “Business News” article that Manitowoc County projects to have the second lowest statewide population-growth percentage through 2040 while neighboring Calumet County—where the tax takes effect April first—and brown county—where the tax went into effect first of the year—are listed as the top two through the same time- period.
Audio PlayerThe mayor refutes County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer’s claim that this is nothing more than a “Peter to pay Paul” or “cash grab” approach claiming the city needs to get “its financial house in order.” He also responded to Ziegelbauer’s and citizens’ concerns of no “firm plan that’s in place to spend the money.”
Audio PlayerState law mandates that only county—not city governments can implement the tax and can allocate it any way they want. The proposal is in the exploratory stages in the County Finance Committee. Manitowoc is one of only six counties in the state without the half-cent tax.
