Green Bay · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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 Police and Fire Labor Agreements
Contract talks with both the fire and police unions are underway for 2027. Details were discussed in closed session and not made public.
2027 Employee Health and Benefits Package
Health premiums rise just 1% — far below the ~13% market rate — because the city switched pharmacy managers and savings plan administrators. Employees could save up to $100 a month on disability coverage thanks to the premium-holiday income continuation plan.
City sustainability staffing and funding
The Commission's community engagement work group had planned to recommend adding city staff for sustainability initiatives, but Mayor Genrich said new headcount is very unlikely during budget season. Instead, the Commission will bring staffing needs to him case-by-case.
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.
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.