Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer introduced his proposed 2019 budget at the County Board meeting Tuesday night. Ziegelbauer said he’s calling for a tax levy for operations of approximately $30.4 million to support total spending of just over $73 million. The County said in his presentation that the document calls for a tax rate increase of slightly less than 1.5%, after 12 consecutive years of no-tax hikes.
Ziegelbauer described some major transportation projects in the county including construction of a new bridge on County Trunk R/Rapids Road in Manitowoc Rapids, widening the roadway to 4-lanes-near the bridge. To accomplish that the county executive wants to borrow $5-million dollars.
Ziegelbauer also proposes borrowing $1.2-million for road re-surfacing, and another $300,000 for new equipment at the Recycling Center. The budget also calls for an increase of 2 percent of the employee contribution for health insurance.
He also wants to add a surveyor position in the Planning-Department and recommends a 1% across the board pay increase.
A Public Hearing on the county executive’s proposed budget will come Monday night, October 29th at 6:30…in the Heritage Center. The Finance Committee is expected to hold discussions shortly after before final county board action takes place sometime around Thursday, November 8th.