A half-percent sales tax would generate a projected $6 million annually that Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels and other local leaders say are needed to fix a “crumbling infrastructre”. Nickels says he has heard from concerned citizens about having “no firm plan to spend the money” and has been asked “why can’t you just make your budget work better?” He admits they’re both “legitimate” questions but says the city is operating as fiscally sound as possible.
Audio PlayerNicklels adds that 70 percent of the budget is dedicated to police and fire services which are “nearly untouchable”.
Audio PlayerThe property tax on a $100,000 home in Manitowoc is $820 which when broken down pays in the mayor’s words “next to nothing for services rendered.”
State law mandates that only county government can enact the tax and they can allocate it any way they choose meaning that if the tax becomes reality there’s no guarantee Manitowoc would see any of those funds. The county’s Finance Committee is discussing the topic—however County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer has repeatedly gone on record saying he’d veto it if passed.