De Pere · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in De Pere, WI public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
South Front Street right-of-way discontinuance
Part of Front Street would be vacated for the Lockside plaza, raising questions about fire apparatus access and traffic. Staff said the plaza will be redesigned to accommodate emergency vehicles and the vacation ends at the old bridge approach on George Street.
Hyperscale data center moratorium
The proposed 12-month moratorium wasn't ready in time — it will land on the September Plan Commission agenda.
Annexation of Rockland Parcels
A 29-acre petition by Big Valley Farms would annex land including the home of an objecting disabled veteran, raising questions about the state's one-half approval annexation process, tenant signatures, and future utility assessment costs.
Federal Section 106 regulation rewrite
Commissioner Hackbarth warned that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation advanced a proposal to rewrite Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which he said would weaken protections and public participation. He urged members to contact legislators and the governor.
Wilson Park improvement project donation
The council accepted a $2,500 tree donation from the Packers and Green Bay Packaging, plus $2,500 from WI United FC Soccer for soccer field treatment at Southwest Park.
2025 Tax Increment District performance and the 12% cap
The city's total tax increment hit 11.2% of equalized value, closing in on the state's 12% cap — at which point De Pere couldn't create any new TIDs. Several districts are projected to close with millions in surplus, but TID 7 is projected $2 million in the red.
Green Tier progress with the DNR
The city is in phase two of its green energy scorecards, tracking energy use and electric vehicles, with submission expected in December. Members also discussed leveraging the Green Tier program to get local businesses on board with sustainability.
2027 Employee Benefit Renewal
City employees' health insurance rates rise 6% in 2027 — below market trend of 8.5–12% — thanks to prior plan changes like Garner Health, which saved an estimated $320,000. Dental rates stay flat and orthodontic coverage extends to age 26 at no extra cost.
Sale of Business Park land to Robinson Inc.
Robinson Inc. wants to buy 5.86 acres of city business park land for a parking lot and access road to support 500–600 new employees. The deal also creates a second access to the WPS substation and a multi-party stormwater easement with Brown County, WPS, and American Transmission Company.
Future of plastic film recycling in De Pere
The city's plastic bag drop-off program has outgrown its outlets — Festival Foods stopped taking the city's collected film and there's no storage space during the service center renovation. Staff wants to end collection and point residents to nine local stores, but commissioners want a recycling partnership explored first.
MSC Expansion Cost Growth
Bids for the MSC expansion were so favorable the city expects to bond $6-7 million less than anticipated. The board recommended the award to SMA Construction Services.
Broadway/Cook Intersection Safety
The crash-prone Broadway and Cook intersection may finally get help: a state grant would replace the old signals and add left-turn arrows to clear the sight-line problem causing accidents. The city pays only 10%.
South Bridge Connector project agreements
The city reworked its cost-sharing deal with Brown County so TID funds cover segments 15 and 16 while the county absorbs segment 18, which had no funding besides borrowing. The city's total corridor share has dropped sharply, easing pressure on general borrowing and taxpayers.
Comprehensive plan update shifting southeast area to housing
The city is finishing its comprehensive plan update, with the southeast area shifting from business park to mixed-use to help address housing needs. A new SmithGroup contract adds public engagement money, and the Lawrence Drive land use change is part of that picture.
Youth mental health trends and resources
The Health Department presented on youth mental health trends and challenges and asked commissioners for input on belonging and social connectedness initiatives in De Pere. Commissioners pitched ideas for events and programs to help teens feel more included and connected.
2027 Budget Under Levy Limit Pressure
The state levy cap is 2.29% this year — below inflation and below what city operations actually cost. Staff still expects a balanced budget without cutting service quality, but the squeeze tightens every year. Budget study session is October 14.
Former Irwin School redevelopment
The vacant Irwin School building has sat empty since around 2014, and every attempt to save it has failed. A new developer wants to demolish it and build three more townhome buildings, bringing the site to 24 units — but that requires about $2.75 million in assistance, more than the TID can fully cover.
TIF district boundary amendments (Districts 9, 15, 17)
The council approved boundary amendments to three tax incremental financing districts, adjusting where the city can use TIF tools to support development.
Ledgeview fire services agreement
The city is negotiating an intergovernmental agreement to provide fire services to the Town of Ledgeview. After a closed session, the council told staff to keep working through a joint working group.
Pedestrian safety at Wisconsin/George and De Pere High School roundabout
A resident says crossing Wisconsin and George Streets is so difficult some people avoid the farmers market, and students struggle at the high school roundabout. Her ideas — no left turns on green, longer crossing signals, flashing beacons — will go to the Parking and Traffic Committee in October.
Classification and compensation study
The city is updating pay for about 103 non-represented employees using an outside study that found De Pere's pay plan already competitive. Implementation costs $88,415 and takes effect January 2, 2027, pending the 2027 budget.
LifePak 35 cardiac monitors for Fire Department
The fire department is upgrading two of its three ambulance cardiac monitors to the newer LifePak 35, paid for entirely with state EMS grant money. Faster detection of cardiac emergencies can save lives.
Lockside riverfront redevelopment (100 S. Broadway block)
New Land Enterprises proposes ~200 apartments, condos and townhomes plus ~12,000 sq ft of retail on the vacant riverfront block, with a public plaza, public art, George Street extension and partial Front Street vacation. The Council approved the deal terms using TID 18 financing; the full agreement returns in June. Residents weighed in on height, traffic, parking and emergency access.
Sustainable state funding for local public health departments
The council threw its support behind a push for sustainable state funding of local public health departments. Better state support could stabilize the services your county and city health departments provide.
Rock Ridge Estates subdivision plat
A 44-lot subdivision in the Town of Lawrence — mostly single-family homes plus four duplex lots and a stormwater outlot — is now approved and moving toward construction.
Multifamily housing near Southern Bridge corridor
Land near Lawrence Drive and Southbridge Road just got re-designated from business park to multifamily residential, opening the door to apartments in the fast-growing southern corridor.
2026 General Obligation Borrowing Plan (Series 2026A, B, C)
The city's 2026 borrowing list came in far below the roughly $40 million budgeted. This year's borrowing becomes next year's debt payment, and a Moody's credit rating review is set for July.
De Pere Ice Center flooring replacement
The ice arena's rubber floor is deteriorating and bids came in nearly double the estimate at about $150,000. The board is asking the council for reserve funds, using the arena fund and youth hockey's $50,000 pledge to cover most of the rest.
Environmental health inspection capacity
The city's single sanitarian is over capacity on inspections as De Pere grows. The health department plans a shared-service partnership for weights and measures inspections in the upcoming budget.
2026 Property Assessment Increases and Appeal Outcomes
Residential values jumped 8.24% citywide this year, and homeowners who felt left behind came before the Board of Review. The board cut two assessments but affirmed most values, leaning on the rule that a recent purchase price sets your assessment no matter what the neighbors' houses look like.
Fire Rescue staffing and record call volume
Call volume has jumped 250% since 1987 while full-time staffing barely grew, causing delays on overlapping calls. The SAFER grant would add two firefighter/paramedics with the feds covering most costs for three years.
2026 Street Reconstruction and Repair Contracts
Ontario Street gets rebuilt and concrete street repairs are funded citywide for 2026, with the MSC Expansion contract coming in under budget.
Brown County Fairgrounds rezoning and gravel drives
The County wants campus-style zoning for the fairgrounds and permission to keep some campground drives as dust-free gravel instead of pavement — the city banned that in 2020. The commission held the item over to June so the County can revise its plan and likely pave the main access loop.
Preserve stormwater pond expansion
The pond will be enlarged to handle new Humana Complex development phases and reroute 78 acres from Lawrence Drive, improving the city's DNR permit compliance. Developers share costs and the pond gets dedicated to the city with a new trail connection.
Southeast-area utility extension legal representation
Extending city water and sewer utilities to the southeast area requires a Public Service Commission application, hearing, and petition process because of the dollar threshold involved. The committee is hiring outside counsel to handle that regulatory process, opening the door for development in that part of the city.
Replacement of the city's financial and payroll software (ERP)
The city's 17-year-old INCODE system handles payroll, budgeting, accounts payable, and even building permits. The city is hiring BerryDunn to assess needs and run the RFP for a new ERP system, which could cost roughly half a million dollars to buy and implement later. Better reporting and transparency for alderpersons and departments is the promised payoff.
Senior safety expo and severe weather preparedness
The council declared a state of emergency for weather disaster damage — an unfortunate but standard step that can unlock assistance.
2026 Sidewalk Repair Program on West Side
Homeowners west of the Fox River between Grant Street and Scheuring Road are getting repair orders. Fix marked panels by end of June yourself or the city's contractor does it and bills you; bills over $1,000 can be paid over five years (166 parcels qualify).
Riverfront Development Approval
De Pere’s Common Council has approved a $70 million development along the Fox River, setting up major changes for the riverfront. The source doesn’t detail what’s being built, who’s paying for what, or how the city will manage impacts—so the big takeaway is that a large, high-dollar project is now moving forward.
Storm sewer special assessments for 2026 projects
Property owners in three project areas will be assessed for storm sewer mains and laterals — $2,008.81 per residential lot plus extras. The board is forwarding this to public hearing, so residents will get a formal chance to weigh in.
$1.95M in infrastructure contract awards
Five contracts covering utility extension, sewer lining, sidewalk repairs, crackfilling and sewer televising were all approved, totaling about $1.95 million. Expect visible construction and repair work across the city this season.
Health Department Strategic Plan 2026-2030
The department's first five-year plan shaped by public surveys sets its mission, vision, values and priorities through 2030, tied to state DHS Chapter 140 requirements.
Election Day emergency planning
The council signed off on an election-day emergency response plan and an alternate polling site, so voting can go on smoothly even if something goes wrong at a normal location.