Oshkosh City Council candidates debate housing, taxes, parks and representation at League forum

Four candidates competing for three Oshkosh City Council seats appeared at a League of Women Voters forum in Oshkosh to discuss housing, local taxes, parks and council representation ahead of the April 1 election.

The forum matters to voters because the council sets local tax and development priorities that affect housing costs, special assessments and redevelopment in downtown and central neighborhoods.

Housing and redevelopment were recurring themes. Candidates described the Sawdust District and the South Main Street corridor as major redevelopment opportunities, but said environmental remediation and financing remain barriers. Joe Stevenson, an economic development program manager and candidate, called the area a chance to “build the coolest building you could ever think of” but said brownfields and cleanup will require state grants and local tools. Carl Bulow, an incumbent, and others said the city has used TIF (tax increment financing) and other incentives to make redevelopment feasible.

Candidates sharply debated the vehicle registration fee, commonly called the wheel tax, which replaced large special assessments for street and sidewalk work. Supporters said the fee spreads costs across users and prevents single homeowners or seniors from facing large bills. Carl Bulow said the wheel tax prevented situations where “seniors have to sell their house when they get a $12 to $15,000 special assessment.” Joe Stevenson said the wheel tax is “better, not perfect,” but preferable to the previous system of special assessments. Paul Eslinger said he opposed the fee, arguing heavy truck traffic and large industrial users cause road damage yet are not assessed proportionally.

Property reassessment and taxes also drew sustained attention. Candidates criticized the seven-year gap since the city’s last reassessment and discussed proposals to reassess more frequently. Bulow said seven years is “absolutely too long” and noted a commercial reassessment process can cost the city about $150,000 to $250,000. Several candidates said a two- to three-year reassessment cycle would be preferable if budget and staffing permit.

On parks and green space, candidates said the city should prioritize expanding and improving parks in neighborhoods with deficits. Bulow and Stevenson both endorsed “pocket parks” and using vacant infill lots for green space. Stevenson also proposed partnerships with school properties to expand community recreational space.

Multiple candidates acknowledged the council’s lack of demographic diversity. Paul Eslinger said voters choose who runs and is elected, and that he does not consider race in his decision-making. Bridal Spanbauer, a challenger and sustainability director at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and other candidates said the city should work to encourage people from underrepresented groups to consider running and to strengthen outreach through boards and commissions.

On financing and county taxes, candidates were split on a proposed half‑percent Winnebago County sales tax. Some said the county tax could capture tourist spending and reduce pressure on local property taxes if proceeds were directed to local priorities; others said the council should seek assurances about how proceeds would be used before supporting a new tax.

Candidates largely declined to endorse formal council action on federal tariffs, calling tariffs a federal issue outside the council’s power. Paul Eslinger said tariffs are “so far from the purview of a city council member” that adopting a local resolution would be largely symbolic.

The forum also included routine candidate introductions and answers about how each would communicate with constituents. Several said they would use a mix of social media, one-on-one meetings and neighborhood engagement; Bulow described meeting constituents at a local dog park and producing short videos to explain complex city issues.

With three seats open, the election on April 1 will determine which candidates serve on the council for the next term. The forum is part of the League of Women Voters’ effort to inform voters; the League emphasized it does not support or oppose candidates or political parties.