Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manitowoc public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
10 issues in taxes budget with low priority
Housing Authority health insurance costs
Housing Authority staff keep their Prevea 360 coverage with only about a 4-4.5% premium bump — far less than the ~13% increase the city itself is facing.
Municipal code software modernization (eCode360)
The city's online municipal code is getting a new platform after its publisher merged with General Code. It'll look different, cost a bit more, and — importantly — become ADA-compliant with better search.
2027 City Clerk License Fee Revisions
A batch of license fees — including garbage haulers and taxis, which require physical plates — goes up, mostly by about $5, to catch up with rising costs and neighboring communities' rates.
Writing off bad debt
Uncollectible tenant debt was written off after standard collection attempts, including tax refund interception. Done annually with an accountant.
Fire Rescue billing dispute (incident #26-0812)
The committee took up a Fire Rescue billing dispute in closed session and denied the request when it returned to open session, 4-0.
Cemetery Foundation Fee Change
A proposed change to cemetery foundation fees was pushed to budget season, where it will be considered alongside all other fee requests.
Assessor's Office moves under Finance
Supervision of the Assessor's Office shifts from Community Development to the Finance Department.
Annual assessment report / 94% assessment level
The assessor's annual report shows the city assessed at about 94% of market value this year, remains in state compliance, and processed 473 field inspections and 474 valid sales. A market update revaluation is scheduled for next year.
Aldermanic compensation
The annual question of whether alderpersons should get a raise came and went without any change. A member said the economy and a recent raise make it a bad time; the item was placed on file.
Committee meeting schedule change
Finance Committee meetings move to the first Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m., or right after Personnel Committee, starting June 1 — pairing the two committees on one night to free up a weeknight.