Racine · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Racine public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Proposed City Budget
The full 2027 budget cleared committee 8-1 with four amendments attached: a sump pump ad hoc committee, King Center municipal outreach, a position transfer to police, and $130,000 for license plate readers. It now heads toward final Council adoption.
Proposed 2027 City of Racine Budget
City departments laid out their 2027 goals, funding needs, operational changes and capital projects for the council. These presentations set the stage for next year's budget decisions that will shape city services and taxes.
Tax incremental district package (TIDs 11, 13, 22, 23, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 10, 16)
The council created two new TIDs — one for Lincoln King housing infrastructure and one at the vacant former YMCA lakefront site — and closed three older neighborhood TIDs to make room under the state's 12% cap. Critics say the lakefront district commits up to $30.8 million with no developer and keeps schools, Gateway and the county from new tax revenue for 27 years; supporters say TIDs are the city's only real tool to attract development.