Manitowoc County’s long-standing COVID-19 Emergency Declaration expired as of yesterday (May 5th).
County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer tells Seehafer News that he was informed by County Clerk Jessica Backus and that it was basically implemented for financial reasons.
”When we do the Emergency Declaration we don’t have to go and amend the budget every time we’d get a new grant or contract from either the State or Federal Government,” he explained. “It provided us with financial flexibility.”
Ziegelbauer emphasized that the declaration had nothing to do with a countywide mask mandate. In fact, the County never implemented a mask mandate at all.
The County Executive added that’s he’s proud of their financial condition and that they’ve maintained essential services during the pandemic.
He explained that ”In many cases, we got through virtually, on the phone, or by e-mail but we provided the services to the taxpayers of Manitowoc County without delay.”
Some departments, such as Human Services are requiring mask-wearing based on the clientele they do business with.
If the need arises to broker contracts with the State or Federal Government, it would be entered as County Board Action and taken from there.
