Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues in taxes budget with low priority
Revolving loan fund health and delinquent borrower
All open loan accounts are now current after staff follow-up last month. The long-troubled Taxco building loan is moving through legal action — one of two borrowers has been served, with a judgment and redemption period ahead if no remedy happens.
Agricultural lease rates on city farmland
The city leases about 105 acres of farmland to local farmers while it waits to develop it. Rates go up $20 to $150 per acre — still below state and county averages — with one parcel on a shorter lease because of the coming solar farm.
Mason Manor rent adjustment
At the December 1 contract renewal, rents will move to project-based voucher standards, bringing in about $9,866 more per month (roughly $118,000 a year) without raising what tenants pay.
Communication process for appointed city members
Ald. Delie wants a clearer communication process for appointed commission and committee members. The committee sent it to staff to review the onboarding process and check how neighboring cities do it before anything is adopted.
2027 Employee Insurance Changes
The council set up income continuation insurance for employees starting in 2027 and switched the pharmacy benefits manager to SmithRx and the Family Savings Plan administrator to Associated Bank.
Funeral leave modernization
Employees can now use bereavement days for tasks around a death — handling affairs, travel, family needs — not just the funeral itself. No extra days, just more flexibility.
36-month Cellcom contract
A three-year Cellcom contract was approved after being referred to staff in May — routine telecom procurement.
Paid volunteer day for city employees
Full-time employees get one paid day per year to volunteer, with verification and no carryover. The committee limited it to City of Green Bay charities on a 3-1 vote, so taxpayer-funded time benefits the city itself.
Volunteer time limited to city charities
The committee approved paid volunteer time for employees but added a restriction — hours can only be served with City of Green Bay charities. One alder objected to the limit.
Keycafe car-sharing expansion for Public Works
The committee wouldn't tap the Innovation Fund to expand the Keycafe key-management system and shared motor pool, sending staff off to find different funding for the $27,393 program.
Official newspaper designation
The Press Times keeps the city's official newspaper designation for another year, handling the city's legal notices through May 31, 2027.
Firetruck antitrust litigation
The city moved to get involved in antitrust litigation against firetruck manufacturers in federal court in Green Bay.
Parking violation penalty changes
A code ordinance updating penalties for parking violations was adopted.
Resiliency Coordinator pay reclassification
The city's sustainability point person gets moved up a pay grade because the job has grown into grant management and department-wide leadership since 2020. It costs about $4,648 more a year, already covered in the budget.
Moving-expense policy amendment
Job candidates will only get city-paid moving expenses if they live more than 100 miles from Green Bay; Ald. Hinkfuss voted no.
CivRec software platform switch
The parks department is replacing the clunky RecTrac reservation system with CivRec, an add-on to software the city already uses, for $39,285 — under the threshold needing council approval. Officials expect a smoother online reservation experience for the public.
Deferral of officer elections
Elections for chair, vice-chair and secretary were put off to the next meeting. Current officers stay in place in the meantime.
DPW 2025 Annual Report and wheel tax transparency
Alders want next year's DPW report to list every street resurfaced and a wheel tax accounting, so they can show constituents the road money is actually being spent on roads.
$3.4 million in Public Works fleet replacements
Snow plows, street sweepers, sewer and garbage trucks — the committee green-lit the whole 2026 equipment batch in one vote, mostly replacing aging gear.
Law Department litigation carryover
The committee carried over $150,000 of 2025 legal-expense budget to cover anticipated litigation costs in 2026.
ESRI geographic information system agreement
The city locked in a three-year, $207,900 deal with mapping software company ESRI — the platform behind city maps, planning and data tools residents see on city websites.
Police department budget status
The Commission received and filed the police and fire budget status reports and approved the monthly bills — routine money tracking for both departments.