Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Priority-based budgeting implementation
The city now maps nearly all of its $294 million budget to 385 programs and scores them against council priorities. Departments are reviewing cost-saving ideas from other cities, with 50 flagged for study — savings would likely show up in the 2028 budget, not next year's.
Draft 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan
The city's five-year capital wishlist is on the table — about $90 million recommended for 2027 alone, from fire engines and police radios to street reconstruction and a new Bay Beach maintenance building. Only about $20 million would likely be borrowed; the real borrowing request comes later with the 2027 budget.
Tax Incremental District No. 35 (200 N Monroe)
The city created a new TID at 200 N Monroe to finance redevelopment there using future property tax growth within the district. It's a major economic development tool, though it diverts that incremental tax revenue from general city coffers while the district is active.
2027 City Fee Schedule
Next year's citywide fees for permits, licenses and services — including higher commercial building permit fees and a corrected new-construction rate — now head to the Common Council. Most residential fees held steady while commercial fees rose to cover city costs.
2027 Employee Health and Benefits Package
The city locked in its 2027 health, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits for employees starting January 1, 2027. Plan designs stay the same, active-employee premiums rise only 1%, and retiree premiums jump 10% because retirees use the plan at much higher rates. It's aimed at keeping benefits competitive while protecting taxpayers.
2027 Police and Fire Labor Agreements
Behind closed doors, the committee got an update on 2027 contract talks with both the firefighters union and the police association, then voted to proceed as directed. The details stay confidential for now, but these agreements shape firefighter and police pay and conditions next year.
Citywide Efficiency and Organizational Review
Berry, Dunn, McNeil and Parker LLC was hired to conduct the city's efficiency and organizational review.
TID 12 wind-down and $1.4M shipyard transfer
Up to $1.4 million left over in the closing I-43 Industrial Park TID would go to the shipyard district, helping match a federal grant for the over-budget $12 million shipyard park phase two and cleanup of the old Badger Sheet Metal site.
GBHA Operating Budget for FY 2026-27
The authority approved its FY 2026-27 budget and reported that its move away from the HUD public-housing subsidy model is paying off — rents now bring in about $400,000 more per year, building reserves for major repairs like Mason Manor's ~$500,000 roof.
City sustainability staffing and funding
Commission members said the city lacks staff to carry out sustainability recommendations, leaving the advisory body doing work it wasn't designed for. A workgroup is meeting with stakeholders and will bring staffing and funding recommendations in the second half of 2026 — and pitched a paid college intern to handle energy data.
2026 Property Assessment Review and Appeals
Only one property owner actually contested their assessment this year. Mark LaFebvre lost his argument that his new home was assessed too far above the citywide average, but he still has court and Department of Revenue appeal options.
Upcoming 2027 revaluation expected to raise residential values ~30%
The assessor told the board the average Green Bay home sale price has climbed from about $192,000 in 2020 to over $304,000, and next year's revaluation will likely bump overall residential values by roughly 30%. Homeowners should review their property records before Open Book sessions.
Switch to USI Insurance Services for employee benefits
After 20+ years with M3 Insurance, the city is switching benefits brokers to USI, expecting $500,000 to $800,000 in first-year savings by eliminating a 20% shared-savings fee, plus a dedicated employee benefits call line for staff and families.
2026 Special Assessment Rates Rising
Sewer, water, and street-construction assessment fees that property owners pay for improvements are going up in 2026 — sewer jumps $10 per front foot and asphalt reconstruction to $200/ft. Resurfacing rates stay flat.
ARPA interest funds policy
The city has roughly $3 million in leftover federal ARPA money and interest with no rules on how to spend it. The new policy sets a framework — favoring one-time expenses, grant matches and strategic priorities — but alders removed a provision that would have allowed big Innovation Fund spending without a council vote.
City borrowing: $35.4M in general obligation notes
The council authorized selling up to $7.255 million in taxable notes and up to $28.19 million in Series 2026B notes — the city's debt financing for 2026 projects.
2026 general obligation borrowing (Series 2026A and 2026B)
The city is issuing up to $35.4 million in promissory notes to fund capital projects. Debt service shows up in future budgets and affects the property tax levy.