Oshkosh council splits over a public forum to explain recent property tax increases

Council members of the Oshkosh Common Council debated whether the city should host a council‑initiated public meeting to explain recent property tax increases, with no formal vote to hold a city‑sponsored forum by the end of the meeting.

The discussion followed a public comment from resident Matt Mickelson, who told the council his taxes on seven rental properties rose “over 20% on average” and asked the council to hold a public meeting so taxpayers could learn “what happened and what we can do to make this better.” Mickelson said existing city communications — including a staff video and an explanatory essay from a council member — did not answer his detailed questions. “If there’s questions there, how do I ask?” he said.

Council members split on whether to schedule a council‑led forum. Council member Eslinger pressed for a publicly noticed meeting where staff could answer technical questions; several other members, including Mayor Flom and Council member Larson, said the council already offers many communication channels and warned of overpromising answers that staff cannot provide. “My push back on it is that we’re gonna have people that want an answer there that we can’t give them,” Mayor Flom said, adding that office hours and smaller, noticed sessions can address many questions.

A number of council members suggested alternatives: staff‑attended office hours, smaller public “listening” sessions, or council members holding individual meetings at community locations. Eslinger said he intended to hold a public meeting with state representatives and other officials on Feb. 10 at Beckett’s; the mayor and several colleagues said that meeting could proceed as a privately organized event but that if a majority of the council planned to attend the session would need to be formally noticed as a council meeting.

City staff and the interim city manager said the city has statutory limits on what it can change regarding state valuation and revaluation processes, and urged that when staff are asked to appear at such sessions the city manager be given notice so the appropriate technical staff can attend. Council members said they will continue individual outreach, and several asked staff to prepare clearer explanatory materials for residents about the revaluation and DOR (Department of Revenue) role.

The council did not adopt a resolution or formal motion at the meeting to schedule a council‑sanctioned tax forum. Instead the body left options open: individual council members may arrange noticed public gatherings or office hours, and staff will bring forward details if the council chooses a formal, noticed session in the future.