MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Manitowoc County is starting the discussion on what its executive calls a ‘once in a century type project.’
The county is estimating it will cost between $25 million and $30 million to renovate and replace parts of its courthouse, which was built in 1906.
“It’s three projects in one: the windows, the HVAC and of course the courthouse dome renovation,” said Manitowoc County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer.
The county estimates 70% of the price tag will be for renovating the dome, about 15% for replacing the windows and about 15% for replacing components of the HVAC system.
“Water is getting into the dome through numerous sources,” said Kevin Donahue, an architect with Strang.
Donahue detailed what needs to be done in the first meeting for the project’s ad hoc committee on Monday night.
“Everything wears out over time and what you’re seeing here is what happens 50 to 100 years on a building. This is normal.”
Ziegelbauer would like to pay for the project through bonding, which would raise the county portion of property taxes 5% to 6% or $25 to $30 per $100,000 of value.
Paying for the project through a half percent sales tax is another option, which Ziegelbauer is against.
“The sales tax is a big step for a not big thing.”
Wisconsin has 72 counties. Manitowoc is one of four that doesn’t have a sales tax.
The county estimates a sales tax would generate $7 million to $9 million per year, which means the courthouse work would be paid off in four to five years.
Bonding is estimated to be paid off over 20 to 25 years.
FOX 11 question to Ziegelbauer: Is it hard to hold out (on a sales tax) knowing Manitowoc is one of the few counties that doesn’t have a sales tax and it’s a way to get the other visitors to chip in?
“We don’t think we have a problem with taxing too little. That is an easy way to tax too much. A lot of people in our community like that we don’t have a sales tax and that we should keep it that way because we don’t need it.”
Ziegelbauer admits some members of the county board will likely have a different view. He hopes a decision on getting the courthouse work done will be made later this year.
Once the project is approved, it’s expected to take three years to complete.
Click here for more information on Manitowoc County’s courthouse dome project.
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