The 2022 Manitowoc County Budget is starting to take shape.
County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer says the process has been in part simple but complicated.
“The goals are to hold the line on taxes, which we will do again, have low debt, have a robust capital improvement program, and maintain our county facilities and equipment, and especially an aggressive program on the county trunk highways,” Ziegelbauer explained. “That’s the regular goals every year.”
Where it gets a bit complicated is the $23 million allocated to the County by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Two-third of that money goes directly to the County while the remaining Third is a pro-rated split among cities villages-towns based on size.
Ziegelbauer says they’re willing to help them out with a 50-50 “cost-sharing” plan.
“The cities, we are looking at replacing lead pipe laterals pipes in their water system,” he said. “In the villages, we will cost-share on broadband, replacement of emergency radios, and water and sewer projects” which amounts to a maximum of $7.5 million.
The County Executive adds they’ll use a portion of their funding for various capital projects.
The deadline for allocating funding from the ARPA is December 31st, 2024. Ziegelbauer will present the 2022 budget to the full board of Supervisors on October 12th with a public hearing set for October 25th.
A vote is expected during the regularly scheduled County Board meeting in November.
