Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in De Pere, WI public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues with high priority
South Front Street right-of-way discontinuance
Part of Front Street would be vacated for the Lockside plaza, raising questions about fire apparatus access and traffic. Staff said the plaza will be redesigned to accommodate emergency vehicles and the vacation ends at the old bridge approach on George Street.
Hyperscale data center moratorium
The proposed 12-month moratorium wasn't ready in time — it will land on the September Plan Commission agenda.
Federal Section 106 regulation rewrite
Commissioner Hackbarth warned that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation advanced a proposal to rewrite Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which he said would weaken protections and public participation. He urged members to contact legislators and the governor.
Annexation of Rockland Parcels
A 29-acre petition by Big Valley Farms would annex land including the home of an objecting disabled veteran, raising questions about the state's one-half approval annexation process, tenant signatures, and future utility assessment costs.
Wilson Park improvement project donation
The council accepted a $2,500 tree donation from the Packers and Green Bay Packaging, plus $2,500 from WI United FC Soccer for soccer field treatment at Southwest Park.
Green Tier progress with the DNR
The city is in phase two of its green energy scorecards, tracking energy use and electric vehicles, with submission expected in December. Members also discussed leveraging the Green Tier program to get local businesses on board with sustainability.
Sale of Business Park land to Robinson Inc.
Robinson Inc. wants to buy 5.86 acres of city business park land for a parking lot and access road to support 500–600 new employees. The deal also creates a second access to the WPS substation and a multi-party stormwater easement with Brown County, WPS, and American Transmission Company.
2025 Tax Increment District performance and the 12% cap
The city's total tax increment hit 11.2% of equalized value, closing in on the state's 12% cap — at which point De Pere couldn't create any new TIDs. Several districts are projected to close with millions in surplus, but TID 7 is projected $2 million in the red.
Future of plastic film recycling in De Pere
The city's plastic bag drop-off program has outgrown its outlets — Festival Foods stopped taking the city's collected film and there's no storage space during the service center renovation. Staff wants to end collection and point residents to nine local stores, but commissioners want a recycling partnership explored first.
2027 Employee Benefit Renewal
City employees' health insurance rates rise 6% in 2027 — below market trend of 8.5–12% — thanks to prior plan changes like Garner Health, which saved an estimated $320,000. Dental rates stay flat and orthodontic coverage extends to age 26 at no extra cost.
MSC Expansion Cost Growth
Bids for the MSC expansion were so favorable the city expects to bond $6-7 million less than anticipated. The board recommended the award to SMA Construction Services.
Broadway/Cook Intersection Safety
The crash-prone Broadway and Cook intersection may finally get help: a state grant would replace the old signals and add left-turn arrows to clear the sight-line problem causing accidents. The city pays only 10%.
South Bridge Connector project agreements
The city reworked its cost-sharing deal with Brown County so TID funds cover segments 15 and 16 while the county absorbs segment 18, which had no funding besides borrowing. The city's total corridor share has dropped sharply, easing pressure on general borrowing and taxpayers.