Monroe · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monroe public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Budget
City employees would see a 2.8% cost-of-living raise on the pay scale in 2027, on top of their roughly 2.5% annual step increase. The figure falls within the 2.5%–3% range the committee directed in September.
Lead Service Line Replacement Program
Monroe is spending a $1 million federal grant (plus about $200,000 city match) to replace lead water lines on both public and private sides, starting with grant-designated streets. The full city replacement is expected to take until the EPA's 2037 deadline, and residents can check the city's online inventory to see what their property has.
2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustment to Pay Scale
The committee was scheduled to weigh a COLA increase to the 2027 compensation pay scale, with 2.5% and 3.5% scenarios among the options. The decision shapes city employee pay and the city's future budget.
2027 City Budget and Fee Schedule
A presenter explained that state levy limits cap Monroe's tax increases at net new construction (1.443% in 2025), forcing the city to bond for capital projects as costs outpace allowed revenue. The council also adopted an intent-to-reimburse resolution to preserve flexibility for future bonding up to $60 million.
Monroe Botanical Garden project support
A nonprofit botanical garden with free admission is proposed for 1311 13th Avenue, featuring gardens, greenhouses, and an education center designed to be walkable from downtown. Commissioners must weigh reduced parking and zero setbacks against the community benefit of a downtown destination attraction.
Industrial Park contamination investigation on 3rd Street North
The city is moving forward with reporting contamination at its Industrial Park property on 3rd Street North to the Wisconsin DNR, with Fehr Graham handling the site investigation work plan and report. Cleanup obligations could carry cost implications for taxpayers depending on what the investigation finds.
Comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for Monroe Bible Church parcel
A rezoning request came in that doesn't match the future land use map, triggering the required public participation plan before a comp plan amendment can be considered. A public hearing is expected in September.
2027 Fee Schedule
The airport's draft 2027 budget now goes to the Finance & Taxation Committee before any final city approval. With fuel sales down about 22% from last year, revenue trends could shape the fees and spending that end up in the final budget.
2027 Employee Health Insurance Renewals
Renewal of the city's employee health benefits package was up for discussion, with a USI presentation and a draft resolution in the packet. Premium changes here affect the city's budget and what employees pay out of pocket.
Airport runway reconstruction
One of the airport runways is being rebuilt, mostly with fuel tax money, which should smooth out landings.
Housing and economic development update
GCDC reported on its housing push — including a new $10,000 first-time homebuyer grant — plus student home-building and business loan programs, and asked the city for more funding next budget year.
Police union contract extension with wage increase
The council extended the police union contract one year with a raise, decided after a closed-session negotiation. This affects city budget planning and police retention.
Monroe High School Homecoming Parade
The council is deciding whether the new 15 mph school zones should apply only during school hours or 24/7. The choice affects sign costs, enforcement, and safety for kids at after-school activities. A special meeting August 10 will settle it before school starts September 1.
18th Avenue improvements in TID 10
The long-desired 18th Avenue street project is officially in the design phase, and TID 10 could fund it while still closing by 2030.
School Zone Safety Near Northside Elementary and New High School
The new high school opens soon and neighbors worried about speed on wide roads like Cheesemaker Drive. The council installed standard '15 mph when children are present' school zones and stop controls now, rather than waiting for a traffic study that could take months.
Well #6 and Well #7 booster pump rebuilds
Dorner Company will repair the booster pumps at Wells 6 and 7 at $16,822 per pump, keeping water service reliable.
Potential data center zoning rules
Green County passed a one-year moratorium on data centers. Alder Sheaffer argued the city doesn't need its own because it lacks contiguous land, annexation would take time, and existing ordinances provide safeguards.
Housing affordability at Richland Heights
The council approved the next phase of Monroe's biggest subdivision, but Alder Sheaffer argues the $450K-$500K homes are out of reach for average families. The debate centered on what levers the city has — zoning, incentives, developer agreements — to encourage more affordable and multifamily housing on remaining unplatted land.
Housing affordability in new subdivisions
Alder Matt Sheaffer pushed back on the Richland Heights Phase 2 plat, saying Monroe needs more variety and more affordable housing options. The plat still went forward, but the concern is now on the record.
Alderperson Vacancy Appointment
The council filled Tom Miller's old seat with Dave Mosher over Maxwell Brooks in a 4-3 split vote. Mosher was sworn in immediately and now votes through April 2027.
Fire Station 2 Roof Replacement
The 20-30 year old roof at Fire Station 2 is failing and has exceeded its useful life, so the council awarded a $173,000 replacement funded by 2026 capital bonds. The old roof was layered over an even older one and must be fully stripped.
Beer sales by city employees in city parks
The council debated letting city employees sell beer in parks, starting with the Fourth of July Bandshell concert as a trial. Four residents testified that parks should stay alcohol-free for kids; the council passed the ordinance anyway, limiting it to Twining Park 7-2.
Downtown fire recovery and community response
Mayor Miller praised the response to the recent downtown fire that destroyed businesses and homes, and highlighted the Pocket Park dedication as an example of the community pulling together.
2025 Financial Audit Results
The city got a clean audit, but spent $1.7M more than budgeted because of the industrial park land purchase, dropping its cash cushion to about 3.5 months. Utilities are strong, and the wastewater plant expansion will likely need borrowing — a clean water fund loan is in the works.
Reduced parking requirements for multi-family housing
Four zoning changes make it easier to build two-family homes, twin houses and bigger multi-family buildings, and cut parking requirements. The goal is lowering barriers so more housing gets built in Monroe.
Multi-family density in MR-15 district
Four zoning changes make it easier to build two-family homes, twin houses and bigger multi-family buildings, and cut parking requirements. The goal is lowering barriers so more housing gets built in Monroe.
Pool slide and start tower repairs
The city pool's slide and start tower get a $58,200 facelift funded by 2026 capital bonds.
Drive-thrus in the downtown CMU district
The Plan Commission is working through zoning code simplification and has discussed whether drive-thrus should be allowed in the historic district, where three currently exist.
Three-year staggered terms for mayor and alderpersons
Right now up to half the council can turn over in one year. This change staggers three-year terms so roughly a third of the council is up each year, starting with the 2027 election. It's a stability play — but it also means longer waits between chances to vote officials out.
Fire Department staffing and operations
The fire department is at 20 active members with recruitment ongoing, and call volume is approaching 400 calls a year, mostly EMS-related. New inspection software is making inspections and pre-planning more efficient.
Deletion of DR-8 Zoning District and TR-10 Modification
Monroe simplified its two-family zoning by merging DR-8 (side-by-side duplexes) into TR-10, which now allows both side-by-side and up-and-down two-unit homes. Owners of former DR-8 parcels no longer need rezonings to convert between layouts, making two-unit housing easier to build and modify.