Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
17 issues in taxes budget
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.
Public Works financial oversight restructuring
Public Works has been splitting its financial work across multiple divisions, raising the risk of errors and burying oversight in director-level roles. The new Finance and Business Manager position puts all departmental finances — including stormwater, sewer and parking funds — under one person.
Public Works finance oversight consolidation
Public Works has been splitting its financial work across multiple divisions, raising the risk of errors and burying oversight in director-level roles. The new Finance and Business Manager position puts all departmental finances — including stormwater, sewer and parking funds — under one person.
Fair housing enforcement and public services funding
Four nonprofits split about $121,000 in federal block grant money for transportation, youth programs, autism services, and reentry work — but a fifth award to NEWCAP was paused over recent concerns about how the organization handles its resources. That leaves roughly $30,500 unawarded for now.
Revolving loan fund health and delinquent borrower
One borrower that was behind is now current, the city is moving toward foreclosure on the GeneTax Solutions building, and a few newer loans are slightly late on first payments. Staff says it's a timing issue, not a crisis.
Elimination of City Assessor position
The city is cutting its in-house City Assessor job and hiring Forward-Appraisal to handle appraisal work instead.
West Side Municipal Garage HVAC replacement
The city is spending $80,000 on design work for replacing the aging heating and cooling system at its West Side garage — the first step before construction.
Bay Beach parking revenue program
Alderperson Eck asked how much the Bay Beach parking program has collected; revenue figures are due next week and there's no set threshold for continuing or ending the program.
Draft ordinances: overnight parking and second-cart fees
The weekend overnight no-stopping rule downtown is changing on a 90-day trial: most of it goes away, but a stretch near Doty Street gets a new restriction, and the Walnut Street loading zone is reworked. Trial results could make the change permanent.
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.
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.
2026 Budget Amendment for Special Events Overtime
The council amended the 2026 budget to cover unbudgeted overtime for special events.
2027 Business Improvement District operating plans
All four BIDs get new operating plans with modest assessment increases — Downtown's first rate change in 25 years, Broadway's ~5% bump, Military Avenue's first cap raise since 2014. The money funds cleaning, beautification, events, marketing, and business recruitment downtown.
2027 Employee Benefits and Labor Negotiations
Council approved 2027 health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits and directed staff on fire and police labor agreement negotiations.
2026 IBEW Local 158 labor agreement
Council approved the city's 2026 labor agreement with IBEW Local 158, covering city electrical workers.
2027 Parking Division rate structure
The council adopted new parking rates for 2027, affecting anyone who parks downtown or at city meters and ramps.
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.