Green Bay · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Green Bay public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
Foreclosure at 1028 9th Street
The RDA will foreclose on a delinquent business loan after the borrower — a tax prep business — stopped communicating and paying in April, owing roughly $195,000 plus back taxes.
Revolving loan fund reallocation to parks
HUD rules forced the city to move $200,000 out of the business loan fund because early payoffs pushed it over carryover limits. The money goes to park improvements in lower-income neighborhoods instead of new business loans.
Communication process for appointed city members
Ald. Delie's petition would let appointed commission members submit agenda communications, not just alders. The committee sent it to staff for a memo on current onboarding and what neighboring cities do.
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.
36-month Cellcom contract
A three-year Cellcom contract was approved after being referred to staff in May — routine telecom procurement.
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.
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.
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.
Official newspaper designation
The annual state-required bid for the city's legal notices went to the Press Times again for the next twelve months.
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.
Fleet and equipment renewal
The committee approved a batch of equipment purchases - a sewer cleaning truck, motor grader, semi tractor, mastic machine and more - replacing aging units, some held together, as one alderman joked, with duct tape.
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.