MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Manitowoc County is moving ahead with plans for a major courthouse renovation project despite continued debate over how to pay for the project.
Since 1906, the courthouse has been a symbol of the area. But its current condition means significant work needs to be done to restore it.
“We have to do it in the near future, and this is the time,” County Executive Bob Ziegelbauer said.
County staff say a new courthouse could have cost upward of $37 million. By comparison, the renovation is expected to cost no more than $30 million.
“The courthouse dome is the problem,” Ziegelbauer said. “And it needs to be replaced or renovated and also the windows and the HVAC system — both are 50 years old and need to be replaced. So, it’s three projects in one.”
Ziegelbauer said there are two options for funding. One is to implement an additional half percent sales tax in the county. The other is to borrow the money by increasing the property taxes from 5% to 6%, or $25 to $30 per $100,000.
“The higher the incomes, you pay a proportion more,” Ziegelbauer said. “We don’t want to oppress the people who have least amount of money by making them pay for the project.”
By implementing a sales tax, the county could raise an additional $7 to $9 million a year.
But Ziegelbauer has made it clear all along that he’s against doing so. At Monday’s meeting, supervisors on both sides spoke on the issue.
“I can’t support $30 million over 30 years,” County Board Supervisor Jim Bauman said. “Our grandchildren will be paying for this until 2053.”
“All you get with a half cent sales tax is people not being able to afford it — people who are already overtaxed as it is,” County Board Supervisor Don Zimmer said.
The project is expected to take three years to complete after approval. Bonding is estimated to be paid off over 20 to 25 years.
“The taxpayers who will benefit, use the court house 10 years from now or 20 years from now, will pay some of the cost,” Ziegelbauer said. “The sales tax will last forever.”
The county’s finance and public works committees are recommending the project be funded by borrowing. The final decision will be made by the full county board at a later date.
Manitowoc is one of only four counties in the state that hasn’t implemented a county sales tax. The others are Winnebago, Waukesha and Racine.
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