May 29th Fifth Tuesday Forum

I will be holding my second Fifth Tuesday Forum of the year on May 29th at 6:00 p.m. at the Kiwanis Shelter at Menominee Park. I hope to see you there!

-Bryan

Home rehab bill

State Representative Gary Sherman yesterday re-introduced a bill from last session that would "allow localities to defer assessments of improvements to a person's home for up to three years," currently something municipalities cannot do. In his press release, Rep. Sherman states, "[AB 299] gives a municipality the authority . . . to use tax policy to encourage behavior that will improve the social and economic health of the community."

I do not know all of the fiscal impacts of the bill, however, at first read, it seems this would be an excellent accompaniment to the "Great Neighborhoods Program" outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, of which the first is the Near East Neighborhood program.

I'm interested in knowing your thoughts on the proposed bill, and if passed, do you think this is something the city of Oshkosh should look into? Are there additional creative ways you think the city should explore to promote these types of improvements?

-Bryan