Brown County commissioners opened a public hearing on a proposed Neighborhood Revitalization Plan (NRP) that, if adopted, would run from 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2035 and offer graduated property-tax rebates for qualifying new construction and improvements. The board voted to proceed with the plan and directed county staff to collect interlocal agreements from other taxing authorities that must separately opt in.

The plan offers a stepped rebate on the increase in assessed value from qualified projects: 95% in years 1 3, 85% in year 4 and tapering to 25% by year 10, county staff said. The county also raised the minimum qualifying improvement from $15,000 under the expired program to $25,000 in the new proposal.

Commissioners and staff framed the NRP as an economic-development tool aimed at slowing population decline by making Brown County more attractive for building and investment. "We're trying to figure out ways that we can slow the decline of population in Brown County," a commissioner said during the hearing, explaining the county's rationale.

Residents and town officials pressed for clearer outreach and procedural safeguards. Kenneth Belden, mayor of Hamler, said he learned about the program only at the hearing: "I didn't know we were even participating in it." Cindy Shieling, a resident who said she had applied under the old plan, said she was never notified of the prior approval or denial and asked how the new process would provide written notice.

Staff and commissioners said the new process will include written notices and more active outreach. The appraiser's office will handle eligibility determinations and applicants will receive written acceptance or denial under the new rules; if an applicant is dissatisfied, the appraisal protest and remedial-review process would apply. County officials also displayed the NRP map and said certain newer, non-blighted areas were intentionally excluded to keep the program focused on qualifying neighborhoods.

The board closed the public hearing and voted to proceed, with the next procedural steps: Brown County will pass a resolution adopting the plan and the county clerk will accept completed interlocal agreements and resolutions from taxing entities that wish to participate. Those entities must return their signed agreements before the program's effective date of 01/01/2026, county staff said.

The county said it will publish the rules and map on the county website and circulate notices to townships and town governments. Michaela Moore, identified in the hearing as a local contact with the county economic-development group, and the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development were cited by commissioners as partners for outreach.

The hearing record contains multiple requests from towns and residents for clearer guidance on how to apply, where the program applies geographically and how prior applicants will be treated; county officials promised follow-up meetings and a public information campaign prior to program implementation.