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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.31.25 Newsletter : TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager DATE: October 31, 2025 RE: Weekly Newsletter 1. PROPOSED 2026 BUDGET LOWERS THE CITY PROPERTY TAX RATE, OSHKOSH RESIDENTS CAN WEIGH IN DURING 11/4 PUBLIC HEARING: Each year, the City of Oshkosh develops an operating budget to support the almost 67,000 people and hundreds of businesses that call the city home. For 2026, the City departments developed a responsible, forward-looking approach to budgeting that provides efficient, effective services and allocates funding for key strategic investments for the future. Notably, the proposed 2026 budget recommends a flat levy, resulting in a lower city property tax rate of $7.73, down from $8.14 in 2025. This was made possible through strategic investments and strong financial management. There are two ways for Oshkosh residents to weigh in on the proposed 2026 budget: • In person: Tuesday, November 4 at 5:00 p.m. o The City will host a public hearing for residents to learn more about the 2026 budget and provide input to local officials. o The session will be held at City Hall, Room 406 (215 Church Ave) • By email: Provide written comments before the public hearing by emailing citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov. For more information about the proposed 2026 budget, including frequently asked questions (FAQs) and an informational fact sheet, visit: www.OshkoshWI.gov/2026Budget CHANGES PROPOSED TO ANIMAL CARE BUDGET: The City’s proposed 2026 operating budget includes a reduction of the Animal Care Fund. This change is meant to better align what Oshkosh taxpayers contribute with what other Wisconsin communities pay for similar services. The proposed changes for 2026 continue the same level of service to residents and animals, only changing how we pay for those services. The City has partnered with the Oshkosh Area Humane Society (OAHS) for over a decade to provide services to the Oshkosh Police Department. The contractual payment in 2025 was $107,582, plus a majority of the pet license fees collected by the City. These payments are not designed to support the overall operations of the OAHS, but to compensate them for the services provided to the City of Oshkosh Police Department. Why the Proposed Change? Oshkosh taxpayers have historically paid 4 to 8 times more than what other municipalities pay for similar services. • Taxpayers in Neenah, Fond du Lac, and Appleton pay between $80 - $150 per animal • Taxpayers in Oshkosh paid between $900 - $1,200 per animal in 2024 What’s Next? The Oshkosh Common Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed 2026 operating budget on Tuesday, November 4th at 5 p.m. at City Hall (215 Church Ave, Room 406). This public hearing is an opportunity for residents to provide feedback to Council about the proposed budget. You can also submit written comments ahead of the meeting to citymgr@oshkoshwi.gov. Where Can I Get More Information? More information can be found in the Humane Society Funding Fact Sheet. 2. W. 9TH AVE AND NEBRASKA ST. INTERSECTION TO CLOSE: The intersection of West 9th Avenue and Nebraska Street will be closed beginning next week (November 3rd). Traffic will be detoured onto West South Park Avenue. Construction is expected to take approximately three weeks and the intersection is expected to open again by November 21st. If you wish to receive e-mailed construction updates on this or any of our ongoing projects, please visit the Public Works Email Distribution List page and follow the instructions for the projects of interest to you. If you have any questions, please contact Construction Management Supervisor Craig Ramthun at (920) 236-5065. 3. CITY’S FORMER 1915 PIRSCH FIRE LADDER TRUCK FOR SALE: A 1915 fire ladder truck that once served the Oshkosh Fire Department is now for sale. Manufactured by the Peter Pirsch and Sons Company, the truck was delivered to the city on June 7, 1915 and continued its service for the Fire Department until 1948. The truck was then used for parades and other events until 1957 and then sold to a private owner. In 2010 the truck was found in Illinois and the City of Oshkosh officially accepted the truck back into its possession, beginning a new phase of restoration. For several years after its return, members of the Oshkosh Fire Department and community volunteers dedicated their time to cleaning and refurbishing the vehicle. During this period, the truck became a tool for educational outreach, parades, and public events, connecting a new generation to the city's history. Unfortunately, by 2025, the truck's operational capabilities had ceased, and no funds were available for its upkeep or storage. With the vehicle no longer able to be used for educational or public events, the city made the difficult decision to remove it from city ownership. The truck is now available for sale on the Fenton Fire website. Fenton Fire is well known for marketing a wide variety of fire apparatus, including vintage fire trucks. The truck has also been posted on the classifieds of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA) Facebook pages. Please direct any questions on this item to the General Services office at (920) 236-5100. 4. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB WORKFORCE SERIES EVENT: On Friday, October 17, the Oshkosh Police Department hosted members of the Boys and Girls Club for part of their Workforce Series event. Members learned about a career in law enforcement and even got to process a mock crime scene looking for clues! 5. TECH AND TELL EVENT: On Friday, October 24, Sergeant Heath Feavel attended the Tech and Tell event held at the new Lakeshore Park 4 Seasons Building. Sergeant Feavel had the department drones on display and was able to conduct a few brief demonstrations for attendees. It was a great time with a lot of interest in the drones! 6. CHICK-FIL-A SUPERHEORS NIGHT: On Monday, October 27, the Oshkosh Police Department participated in Chick-fil-A’s Superhero Night event. Free kid’s meals were given to children dressed as their favorite heroes (police, firefighters, military, etc.). There were fun activities and kids were able to explore a fire truck, ambulance and police car. They even got the chance to meet local “superheroes” Officer Joey Rebedew and Officer Evan Atkinson. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us – it was tons of fun! 7. LIBRARY IN THE COMMUNITY: Oshkosh Public Library is participating in Walk-In Wednesdays at the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh. The Club invites representatives from local organizations to connect with Club families and community members on select Wednesdays every month. Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for or update their library cards and learn about library services, collections and programs. It’s also a chance for Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland to speak with visitors about needs and interests that the library might be able to support. We’re very excited to make these connections and thank the Boys & Girls Club for including the library! The library continues to offer outreach and engagement services at City Hall twice each month. Visitors can update their library cards, get help downloading digital services such as Libby and Hoopla, and find out what’s new at OPL. Community Engagement Librarian Sandy Toland is in Room 203 at City Hall on the first Tuesday of each month from 2-4 p.m. and the third Wednesday of the month, from 1-3 p.m. Stop by and talk books, offer feedback, and connect with all that the library has to offer! Visit our website to learn more about the library in the community! 8. GET INVOLVED IN A BOARD OR COMMISSION: If you are interested in serving your community, consider becoming a member of one of the City’s citizen advisory boards, commissions, or committees. There are current openings on the following boards and commissions: Board of Review Board of Zoning Appeals Landmarks Commission Long Range Finance Committee Plan Commission Transportation Committee To learn more about the boards and commissions, or to complete an application to serve, visit our boards and commissions webpage. If you have questions about current openings, the process of appointment, or need more information about a particular board, please contact the City Manager’s Executive Assistant, Kami Zuercher, by email (kzuercher@oshkoshwi.gov) or call (920) 236-5002.