Manitowoc County lays out 2023–27 capital projects, highlighting courthouse, jail and campus needs

Public Works Director Craig Bright presented a multi-year overview of Manitowoc County’s capital projects plan for 2023–2027, outlining completed and projected maintenance and system upgrades across county facilities including the courthouse, law enforcement center, office complex and the UWGB Manitowoc campus.

Bright said the county spent $956,500 on courthouse work in 2023, noting a large portion funded the creation of a new “branch 4” configuration that moved child support and probate functions and led to the decommissioning of the law library. He described 2024 courthouse repairs including a $59,500 sewer-lateral fix after a 5‑foot section developed a dip and backed up sewage, and routine items such as recarpeting for the district attorney’s suite. Bright also identified tuckpointing and rotunda maintenance planned in 2025–26 to avoid larger deferred expenses.

The law enforcement center was identified as one of the costliest county buildings because of its size and specialized systems. Bright reported 2023 replacements of computer-room air conditioning units and detention-area mop sinks, a multi-year fire-alarm upgrade wrapping in 2024, UPS battery replacement and an aging automatic transfer switch that required replacement. He said security system and CCTV upgrades, ProLogic controls and storage devices were planned as recommended by the county’s security vendor.

On elevator modernization, Bright described that “modernization” covers controls, door-closing devices and shaft components; he said the county has followed a phased plan, citing Otis Elevator’s recommendations and noting hydraulics and power units are scheduled for replacement in later years. Bright said elevator upgrades often involve multiple components and are not limited to control-board replacement alone.

Bright addressed the UWGB Manitowoc campus (Lakeside, Founders and Hillside), saying the county budgets a portion of work there and has been converting pneumatic controls to digital systems. He noted the campus’s future had been uncertain in the state but recently appeared more viable with increased activity from agencies and interest from school districts. He referenced a 1962 memorandum of understanding with the Wisconsin Board of Regents that governs the campus relationship with Manitowoc County and said the county is working to stay engaged in lease decisions.

Bright repeatedly emphasized that the numbers in his slide presentation were illustrative “snapshot” values rather than precise budget‑packet figures. He invited continued oversight and said many projects are phased based on available dollar resources and vendor recommendations. The presentation concluded with questions from supervisors about scope, timing and cost estimates and a request to obtain more precise estimates for large items such as Hamilton roof work.

Next steps: Bright said many larger projects (roofs, elevator components and major HVAC replacements) will require targeted budgeting or bonding decisions and vendor quotes; the board will continue to consider projects during upcoming budget cycles.