Green Bay council adopts 2026 budget, approves staffing changes and adjusts CIP schedule
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Summary
The Green Bay Common Council adopted the mayor’s 2026 budget Nov. 18, approved new 2026 positions and a borrowing request, and amended the CIP to move $400,000 in engineering costs into 2027 for Adams/Washington reconstruction.
The Green Bay Common Council voted Nov. 18 to adopt the mayor’s recommended 2026 budget and approved related personnel and borrowing measures, with no members of the public speaking during the required public hearing.
The council approved a request to add new positions and reclassifications for 2026 and passed the mayor’s budget after City Attorney Pochart reminded the body that a public hearing was required and no one signed up to speak. “We just appreciate approval on our budget,” the mayor said during the meeting.
Why it matters: The budget sets staffing and spending priorities for the coming year and funds the city’s capital plan through 2030. Council members praised the measure’s restraint but also raised concerns about fee changes and the city’s reliance on property taxes.
What the council approved and how: The council approved the personnel request for 2026 and the mayor’s proposed budget by voice votes after discussion. Alder Grant raised a concern that recent zoning amendments had changed which projects require conditional use permits and that licensing fees had effectively doubled for some applicants; she said she discussed the matter with John Leroy, who “is comfortable with the proposed increased fees.”
The council also approved the 2026 borrow request and the 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan. Alder Johnson moved an amendment to the CIP entry for Adams Street/Washington Street reconstruction to reduce the 2028 allocation from approximately $2.4 million to $2.0 million and to move $400,000 for engineering costs into 2027. The amendment carried by voice vote, and the CIP/borrow request passed as amended.
Votes at a glance: agenda approved by voice vote; new positions approved by voice vote; mayor’s 2026 budget adopted by voice vote (no roll‑call or tallies recorded); 2026 borrow request and CIP approved as amended by voice vote; amendment to shift $400,000 to 2027 carried by voice vote. The transcript records 'the ayes have it' for these items but does not record individual roll‑call tallies in the public minutes.
Next steps: The budget and amended CIP become the guiding spending plan for 2026; staff will implement approved positions and proceed with project scheduling and procurement as budgeted.
