The following is an op-ed, written by Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbaur.
On July 16, 2024 the Manitowoc County Board passed a resolution implementing the County Sales Tax. The additional half percent sales taxes will start on January 1, 2025. While I am not happy at this turn of events to raise the sales tax, I think it is necessary for Manitowoc County’s long term financial health and will enable us to deliver quality services to all our citizens.
The sales tax issue came up time after time in the last 15 years. I was able to hold it back for a long time. On the bright side, this development sets the stage for “holding the line” on Manitowoc County property taxes for a generation in the future.
Manitowoc County needs the revenue the sales tax will generate. The Human Services Department budget grew 60% in just 4 years, from $20 million dollars to $32 million dollars. While this was happening we didn’t put any additional money from our tax levy into the Human Services budget. These are all required services for children, families, dealing with protection and mental health.
This will fix the problem with our deficit. I take the blame for this. Probably, I was too aggressive on “holding the line” on property taxes, but inflation and accelerating demand caught up with us.
At Manitowoc County, we have a good record. In my neighborhood, county property taxes rose only 8.5% in the last 15 years. Compare that to my municipality that rose 46% in those same 15 years and my School District which rose 44% just this year. Look at your tax bills over that time.
As I say regularly in my budget letter to the County Board, “our mission is to keep delivering high quality services, efficiently, taking as little from the taxpayers as we can.” As we go forward, I remain committed to doing just that, now, and in the future.
Contact me anytime.
Bob Ziegelbauer
Manitowoc County Executive
