Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manitowoc public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in taxes budget
2027 Executive Budget and property tax increase
The mayor's proposed budget raises the city tax rate 2.78% — about $41 a year on a $250,000 home — while adding six positions and borrowing $7.84 million. For the first time in years, the city would borrow more than it pays off, and $3.5 million of reserves would be used.
2027 City Budget for Police and Fire
The Finance Committee got its first look at the 2027 Executive Budget and will hold deliberation meetings on November 2, 4, and 5. No decisions were made yet — this is where spending priorities get hammered out.
Replacing VDI computers with PCs
The city plans to spend about $150,000 to swap roughly 100 VDI workstations for cloud-based PCs in 2027, avoiding an $80,000 VDI server patch and a $75,000–$80,000 server replacement in 2028. Ald. Reckelberg asked whether the machines could last another year so newly hired IT staff could manage the transition.
2027 Health Insurance Premium Increase and Plan Deficit
City employees face a proposed 13% health premium increase for 2027, and the self-funded plan is already $1.4 million in the red. The committee wants cost-saving options — like a spousal surcharge — priced out before the Council decides on October 19.
2027 Employee Health Insurance Premium Increase
City employees face a proposed 13% health premium increase for 2027, and the self-funded plan is already $1.4 million in the red. The committee wants cost-saving options — like a spousal surcharge — priced out before the Council decides on October 19.
FY27 Budget and Wages at Manitou Manor
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.
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.
School voucher cost transparency on tax bills
The council is considering adding a line showing how much of a property tax bill goes to voucher schools versus public schools. It was tabled this meeting but will return; supporters say taxpayers deserve transparency as voucher costs have grown from $82,000 to a projected $7 million.
Discover Manitowoc grant program expansion
Grant requests have doubled the roughly $40,000 available, and established regional events like the civil war reenactment no longer qualify. The board suggested raising the allocation and possibly creating a second grant program for events that fill community gaps rather than hotel stays.
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.
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.