Manitowoc County Board Meeting - 11/5/26

The Manitowoc County Board meeting on November 5, 2026, included adoption of the 2027 budget and property levy, which passed 21–3. A related resolution authorizing an adjustment to the levy limit passed 23–1. The reported final levy was $35,568,744, with a tax rate of 3.36138 and a 4.17% increase. Board amendments to add $250,000 for the Hillside building roof project and $1 million for highway paving each failed, 8–16. A proposed $60,000 wage study amendment also failed, 7–17; the transcript does not clearly capture the result of a separate proposed employee wage-schedule amendment for $173,779. The board was also advised that Manitowoc County had signed onto a new opioid settlement involving Albertsons; the reported nationwide settlement amount was approximately $750 million, while the county’s share was not known.

In transportation, Maritime Metro Transit plans not to renew its contract with private provider Assist to Transport and expects to manage paratransit services in-house beginning in January, stating this is expected to be more cost-effective; officials anticipated no interruption in service. The final replacement bus needed to complete the transit fleet upgrade had been received and put into service. The meeting also recognized the county recycling program, which serves county residents and processes recyclable materials in coordination with local partners. No other contract award or bid approval was identified.