Neenah mayoral candidates debate roads, housing, debt and homelessness at League forum

Moderator Deb Andrews opened a League of Women Voters–hosted candidate forum in Neenah, where mayoral candidates Scott Becker and Brian Borchard outlined competing plans on infrastructure, housing, municipal debt and services for unhoused residents.

In opening remarks, Borchard described three decades as a Neenah resident, work as a teacher and six years on the city council, including three as council president. He told the audience the council had overseen "nearly 480,000,000 in public investments," and framed his campaign around steady local leadership and stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Becker emphasized his 13 years as legislative staff, work on senior care and TIF reform and said poor roads and rising poverty motivated him to run.

On roads and municipal management — the forum’s first policy question — Becker said a mayor must build consensus across staff and community groups and cited experience building legislative coalitions. Borchard pointed to classroom and nonprofit leadership and his council experience as preparation for supervising roughly 250 city employees.

The candidates diverged on budget priorities and debt. Borchard said the city borrowed "$20,000,000" last year and expressed support for adopting a formal fund-balance and debt-management policy. Becker said he was "very concerned," citing debt projections that he summarized as rising from about 5,500,000 to 16,100,000 and singled out the Arrowhead Park project, legal and consultant costs, and environmental concerns at the former Bergstrom paper landfill as reasons to scrutinize capital spending.

Both candidates said economic development and jobs require outreach and incentives. Borchard emphasized housing availability and use of TIF and other tools to retain employers and support small businesses. Becker proposed a business council and stronger outreach to state officials and developers, saying he wants to bring larger employers back to Neenah.

On homelessness and housing affordability, both candidates supported using the city’s recent housing study as guidance. Borchard described participating in a point-in-time count and working directly with unhoused families and students; Becker highlighted workforce housing projects planned for South Commercial and the need for a continuum of housing options. Becker also suggested land banking and a dedicated housing department or blue-ribbon commission to accelerate housing production.

When asked about ICE presence, Becker said immigration enforcement is governed by federal law and stressed a welcoming community that also respects laws. Borchard said he had consulted the police chief and noted local police do not have authority to interfere with federal immigration enforcement while urging residents’ right to peaceful protest and pledging to consult police and council on response decisions.

Both candidates closed by urging resident engagement and promising more transparent communication. The forum concluded with a reminder from the moderator that Election Day is Tuesday, April 7.

The forum was moderated by Deb Andrews and was recorded for later posting by the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County.