Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Manitowoc public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
33 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Employee compensation and retention
On behalf of HR Director Jessica Lillabridge, the city attorney flagged workers stuck at hiring or midpoint pay rates years in, and Manitowoc spending 5-10% less of its general fund on personnel than peer cities. The mayor said a performance evaluation and compensation plan is in the works.
Retiree insurance discontinuation
The city will discontinue retiree insurance beginning January 1, 2027, per the approved personnel committee report.
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.
Parks Department tractor replacement
The city is swapping its repair-burdened Holder tractor for a $50,000 John Deere utility tractor that Parks staff say fits their needs better and doesn't require special licensing to operate. It's paid from leftover 2025 borrowing, not new money.
2027 Parks and Recreation Budget Priorities
The mayor laid out big-picture parks spending through the rest of the decade — Silver Creek as a winter destination park, equipment needs, and parking lot work — while members suggested pickleball courts, playgrounds, splash pads, and a park-usage survey.
2027 Library Budget Adoption
The board approved next year's library budget with operating spending held close to current levels, but some city-provided figures like healthcare aren't final and may require amendments later.
Library Staff Reorganizational Plan
The board approved a restructured library organization with new manager and associate roles in Technical Services and Circulation. A former employee claims the cost-saving reorganization drove targeted terminations.
TID 16 — Downtown/Mariner Site District Finances
The city's oldest TIF district is about $500,000 underwater, mostly from demolition and cleanup of the old Nero/Mariner site. Increment is growing and an EPA cleanup grant is being reimbursed; the district is projected to close by 2030, possibly with donor help from TID 21 if it falls short.
Unanticipated Retirement Payout Costs
Two unexpected police retirements left the city about $65,000 over budget on payout costs, complicated by the fact that a contingency fund for this was removed from the budget two years ago.
Council Chambers audio/video upgrade
The bid for upgrading the council chambers' audio and video went to Fearing's Audio Video, with work to be finished before April — finally making meetings easier to watch and hear.
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.
Library board quorum problems
Only five of ten trustees showed up, so the board couldn't vote on budgets, minutes or appointments. Three months of financial approvals are now piling up for July.
City Goals 2026-2030
Department heads made their first-ever joint pitch to the council on five-year priorities: aging sewers and pipes, fleet and building maintenance, fire/police facility needs, senior housing, and staffing/compensation. The mayor will draft a one-page goals document.
Assessor's Office moves under Finance
Supervision of the Assessor's Office shifts from Community Development to the Finance Department.
Assessment objection — 1602 New York Ave.
Two property owners will pay less after the board corrected assessment errors — one from a staff measurement mistake, the other from a contractor over-assessment in the sidewalk replacement program.
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.
Seasonal hiring pay rates for 2026
The city added a DPW stockroom clerk apprentice at $16-$18/hour to its seasonal pay schedule. Seasonal staff help with summer maintenance, parks and street work residents rely on.
HUD Interest Rule Change
HUD now says any interest earned over $500 on certain accounts must be sent back to the federal government. The details are still fuzzy, so staff is getting clarification — this could mean returning money the housing program had counted on.
Q1 2026 budget exceptions
The quarterly report flags departments spending over budget, including a snowblower purchase that came in well over the $2,500 estimate and unbudgeted seasonal unemployment compensation. Staff will follow up on both before the next quarter's report.
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.