The 2025 Manitowoc County budget has been outlined. County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer made his proposal to the County Board of Supervisors during a meeting on Tuesday (October 8th).
The biggest goal wants to keep is holding the line on property taxes while still providing high quality services, keeping debt low, and getting county roads redone.
Ziegelbauer explained that something new the county will have this year is the .5% sales tax that was approved by the board in August.
He says the county was able to hold off going to the sales tax, but now the county must join in.
“Because of growing inflation and human services cost, we will conservatively estimate the local sales tax revenue to be at $7.5 million in 2025,” Ziegelbauer stated.
Ziegelbauer wants to increase the county tax levy to about $33 million, which is about a .67%, but he says will cause a property tax decrease.
“Because of the net new construction increase in the Equalized Property Values measured an increase of 1.47% from last year,” he explained. “This is continued good news for property taxpayers.”
The county executive continues saying the county will combat inflation for county employees by increasing salaries and health insurance premiums.
Ziegelbauer also wants to borrow $3.25 million as part of a $6.3 million investment in road reconstruction. His plan for the Human Services Department’s deficit includes appropriating $4.7 million to compensate for the debt and for extra costs next year so they can provide the help they have to.
One part missing from this year’s budget is continuing maintenance on the Manitowoc County courthouse dome.
Ziegelbauer says he doesn’t want any money to go toward it this year because what can be done will be finished next year.
“This project won’t go away,” he assured there board. “In the long run, there is no realistic alternative to rehabilitating the dome on the courthouse. As we wait the cost will go up and up.”
The final budget proposal will be coming later this year.
You can find the full budget online on Manitowoc County’s website under the What’s Happening section.
