Manitowoc County Board Meeting - 10/26/26

Manitowoc County Board meeting, October 26, 2026: The board heard committee updates on the proposed 2027 budget and related spending decisions; the countywide budget was not adopted at this meeting. Finance reported an estimated $1 million general-fund surplus, largely attributed to higher sales-tax revenue and fee collections, and a Human Services deficit estimate that had fallen from about $200,000 to $109,000. Public comments raised concerns about employee compensation, vacancies, caseloads, and a proposed transfer of opioid settlement funds to a task force. The Health Department reported approval of a $29,700 grant for staff time and community disease-prevention activities, which must go to Finance for budget action.

Committee actions included a Public Safety Committee recommendation to reduce Joint Dispatch overtime funding by $10,000, referred to Finance, and Personnel Committee motions to reduce Corporation Counsel’s health-insurance line by $51,554 and increase outside-attorney fees by $52,110, also referred to Finance. The Highway Committee voted to remove a mechanic position and discussed increasing the boot allowance from $100 to $150; it also denied a village culvert cost-sharing request and a request for county snowplowing assistance. The committee reported two bridge projects on County Highways Q and CS had been awarded, with work expected in the 2030s, but no costs or contractors were stated. Public Works reported that advance purchasing of bagged salt saved about 50% of the usual seasonal cost. The board approved the consent agenda and passed resolutions on a jail nurse position reallocation, sick-leave policy, and workers’ compensation self-insurance; no vendor awards or contracts were approved by the board in the transcript.