The Sheboygan Common Council on Nov. 17 approved a resolution authorizing a tax‑increment financing (TIF) agreement with Lawreath Company LLC to support a proposed facility modernization by Vollrath, a longtime Sheboygan manufacturer. The resolution, introduced by Alders Mitchell and Perella, passed with eight ayes and two abstentions.

City officials said the investment would preserve Vollrath’s local operations and help the company modernize an aging plant. Director Zener described the item as driven by economic development and by the city’s interest in supporting a long‑standing local partner. "I think first is the economic development that will come from this," Zener said, and added that one purpose was "making sure that companies like Vollrath stay here."

Tina Kreidler, who identified herself as the company’s chief financial officer, told the council the full project "in total will be somewhere between 40 and $80,000,000" and said the plan centers in part on increased automation to improve efficiency. Kreidler gave a production example to illustrate the change: a product line pan that currently "gets touched 15 times" could be handled about "5" times in the proposed layout.

Council members pressed for context about jobs and the nature of the investment. Kreidler said Vollrath considered other sites and that the company has an existing facility in Maize, Kansas with available space and land, and said moving some operations there was among the alternatives. When asked about workforce numbers she said the Sheboygan site has "approximately, 350" hourly employees and that, as a rough estimate, "that would take about half of them" if key equipment were relocated. Kreidler also said automation would shift the mix of roles toward higher‑skilled technicians and engineers.

Alder Bourse disclosed a family conflict and stated they would abstain from the vote because an immediate family member works for Vollrath. The city attorney clarified the difference between recusal and abstention under Robert’s Rules, noting that abstaining members may participate in discussion even if they do not cast a vote.

City Administrator thanked the company and framed the decision as both economic and community continuity: he described a multi‑decade relationship between the city and Vollrath and said the package considered labor costs and competitive pressures, including wage differences for out‑of‑area operations.

The resolution authorizes city officials to enter the TIF agreement with Lawreath Company LLC and to issue a taxable municipal revenue obligation tied to the project; the motion was moved and seconded and approved by roll call (8 ayes, 2 abstentions). The council also laid over unrelated items 19 and 20 and proceeded to other business.

Next steps: the resolution was adopted at the meeting; implementation steps referenced by council and staff (for example, final agreement language and any subsequent financing documents) were not specified in the meeting record.