HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.07.25 Newsletter
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TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Rebecca Grill, City Manager
DATE: November 7, 2025
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. UPDATE ON STATE MANUFACTURING ASSESSMENTS AND CITY TAX RATE
PROJECTION: We recently received Oshkosh’s 2025 manufacturing property assessments
from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR). These values, which are set by the state
rather than the city, directly influence our total assessed value and, therefore, our final city
property tax rate.
Our initial projections for the tax rate had to be made prior to receiving final numbers for
the state’s manufacturing assessments. We had discussions with DOR staff and included an
estimate in our projections that represented an increase of 18.9% over 2024 manufacturing
assessments. However, the finalized values came in at just 10.6% higher than the 2024
values. As a result, if the budget is adopted as proposed, the city’s tax rate will be adjusted
by $.04 to $7.77 per $1,000 and the average homeowner will have a reduction of
approximately $84.19 in city taxes from last year.
It’s important to note that this adjustment does not mean an increase in the total amount of
city spending or a change in the approved levy. Instead, it reflects a redistribution of the
tax burden due to the DOR’s lower assessment of manufacturing property.
To learn more about the City’s 2026 budget, check out our 2026 budget fact sheet or visit
our budget page: www.oshkoshwi.gov/2026budget.
2. 2025 CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY CELEBRATES GRADUATION: On Thursday,
November 6, 2025, ten members of the community graduated from the 2025 Citizen’s
Police Academy. The official kickoff of the program was Thursday, September 18th.
Participants learned about the policies, procedures and personnel of the
Oshkosh Police Department. They gained hands-on experience in topics
such as: K9 Unit; Investigations; Drug Information and Human
Trafficking; Drone; the Community Impact Team (Sergeant Brenden
Bonnett with Behavioral Health Officer Scott Sopata and K9 Gema);
Project Lifesaver; SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics); DAAT
(Defense and Arrest Tactics); and Crisis Negotiations. A highlight of the
academy is the ride along with an officer, which gives them an up close and personal look
at the life of an officer on the job.
The Citizen’s Police Academy helps build a stronger relationship between the Oshkosh
Police Department and the citizens we serve!
2025 OPD Citizen Academy Graduates
3. 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
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.