Green Bay finance committee amends 2026 borrowing plan to add grader, wildlife-van

The Green Bay Finance Committee reviewed and approved the city's 2026 borrowing request after adopting amendments to add a used motor grader and a cargo van for the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Public Works staff had identified the motor grader as a top operational priority; Alderman Johnson moved to add a used motor grader priced at $370,000 to the borrowing request, and the amendment was adopted. The committee heard that several fleet items had been deferred in prior years and that moving some equipment into the bond package addressed long-standing replacement needs. Public Works Director explained the grader would be used for plowing and to improve efficiency during winter operations.

Separately, the committee adopted an amendment to add a cargo van for the Wildlife Sanctuary (about $55,000) after staff described the existing vehicle as functional but heavily rusted and unsuited for public-facing events. The Parks director said the sanctuary's existing van dates to 2006 and was in poor cosmetic condition though still operational.

Committee members debated whether small items should be bonded or placed in the operating budget; finance staff noted the city's capitalization policy and that most fleet and equipment requests historically have been included in bond packages. The finance director explained amortization practice: while the financing package is often issued on a 10-year note, items with shorter useful lives are scheduled to be paid more quickly in the amortization schedule.

The amended borrowing list was approved by voice vote. Committee members and staff flagged that the CIP and borrowing priorities will continue to be managed across multiple years and funding sources, including the use of fund balance in prior rounds to reduce immediate bonded amounts.

What happens next: the approved borrowing request will be carried forward for final action as part of the budget adoption process.