HomeMy WebLinkAboutNeubauer Tim - Supplemental Questionnaire
Thank you for your interest in the open Common Council seat. Below is a list of questions the Common
Council would like you to answer and send back to KZuercher@oshkoshwi.gov by 4:30pm Thursday,
November 20th, 2025.
Council Candidate Name: Tim Neubauer
1. How do you view the role of a City Council Member– what is your job as a council member?
Council members are super important parts of our city government and from my
understanding, and talking with some of the past members, they make important decisions on
the city budget, ordinances and policies, and are direct representatives of the residents, voicing
concerns and working on the things that are most important to the taxpayers. I understand that
other duties are also involved and can vary.
2. Will you be running for a seat on the Oshkosh Common Council in the next election – whether
you are selected for this appointment or not?
My main goal is to continue to pursue the opportunity to have a seat on the City Council. I
believe that I have value to offer to the council and the city residents, regardless of the results
of next week’s selection.
3. Do you understand the time commitment required for a Council Member (meetings, constituent
interactions, general community involvement, etc.) and do you have the time and flexibility to
accommodate this schedule?
I’m fully aware of the time and responsibilities it takes to be an active council member. My real
estate career allows me great flexibility to work around both as an agent and the duties of being
on the City Council. I also have a great support system at home to help further assist in family,
work and any other duties that are required for taking on further obligations.
4. Where do you see this community in five years?
That’s a tough question. I really don’t know what we will see in the next five years with how
different the world has become. I feel that we need to work towards keeping Oshkosh tightly
knit and encouraging as much local business as possible. There have been a lot of positive
changes and huge increase in population of our city, to which has ups and downs. In my
opinion, larger city equals larger problems. For example, crime rate, traffic, housing, supply and
demand and that lost feeling of what this city was back when I was a child.
5. A group of residents demands action on something we legally cannot do or have no control
over. How do you respond, publicly and privately?
Best approach at handling the public is open dialogue and respectful communication. I believe
in more face to face conversations to help explain why the city can or cannot do certain
things. I think having more conversations in a public setting and in the community will also help
build a rapport and relationship with the city’s residents, in order to have everyone on the same
path. My wife and I have followed Kris online for the past few years and appreciate the way he
has respectfully opened up dialogue with everyone, including those who clearly don’t
appreciate his point of view. I would strive to handle the public the way he has so graciously
done in his time on the council.
6. What is your definition of sustainability and how do you relate it to city operations?
Sustainability to me is sticking to budgets, being responsible for the money and votes we are
given and doing our absolute best to make improvements for the residents and those trusting
us to make good decisions. Tax increases and overspending are scary to most people and the
increases are often not sustainable for those on a fixed income. Using my mother as an
example; we purchased her, and my grandmother, a duplex in 2019 to help sustain their living
expenses. She could no longer afford to live in her rental with the constant increases from her
landlord, on a fixed income. Being landlords ourselves, we raise rents when our taxes go up, and
we can no longer operate without raising rents. Each time taxes increase and costs go up, we
find ourselves either eating the cost (This is ultimately unsustainable for the long term as we
cannot operate in the red for long) or helping pay the bills by way of rent increases. Responsible
spending is a must to help our most vulnerable tenants stay in their homes and keeping elderly
and low income families in the homes they already own.
7. What is your opinion of the City budget and taxes; do you have any ideas to share?
This is an area that I will admit, need more insight on as a whole picture. Taxes for myself and
everyone else, have significantly increased in the last 5 years. Is everything that we are
spending our taxpayers money on absolutely necessary? I feel as if there may be more ways to
help put our property taxes at a more affordable rate. As everyone knows and feels, this
country is taxed to death and it’s our duty to help lesson that burden. While I know the other
council members have worked hard at this, I would love to be an added voice for the middle
class and help come up with common sense ideas. I may not have a ton of past experience with
this at a city level, but running our own businesses and keeping our finances in order has been
my task for many years. Sticking to budgets, saving and keeping the bills paid are things I do for
our three businesses and my wife and I both pride ourselves on being financially responsible,
practical people.
8. As a Common Council Member how would you support the Strategic Plan Goals, Mission and
Vision of the community?
As a council member, I will support the goals and vision of the cities future as long as it’s in the
best interests of those who live in the city and pay taxes. We are using tax payers money to
fund this city, and it’s projects, and I want to be sure it benefits everyone, without compromise.