Joe Stephenson
for City Council
Community Driven Leadership
JOE'S PLATFORM
"With a decade of community advocacy, I know what it takes to find solutions, navigate the complicated governmental agencies, and get the job done."
Housing
Housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing our community today. Oshkosh lacks an adequate supply of quality, affordable housing, and addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach.
First, we must prioritize investment in maintaining and preserving our existing housing stock. Older homes are a defining feature of Oshkosh’s character and history, but many face safety concerns such as lead and asbestos. By providing more opportunities for homeowners to address these issues, we can preserve the unique charm of our neighborhoods while ensuring they remain safe and livable for generations to come.
Progress:
The City Council has taken significant steps to ensure the safety and preservation of our housing stock. We reallocated nearly $300,000 through the Affordable TIF Extension to fund rehabilitation programs that will continue for years to come. Additionally, we provide grants and loans to help homeowners replace lead pipes, protecting families from potential health risks while enhancing the safety of our community’s infrastructure.
Second, we need to support infill developments and diversify our housing options. From townhomes to single-family subdivisions, Oshkosh needs to expand its housing supply and make it easier for new homes to be built in established neighborhoods. This not only increases housing availability but also strengthens existing communities.
Progress:
The Council has authorized hundreds of new housing units to meet both affordable and market-rate needs. Key projects include The Corridor Project, a mixed-income workforce housing development in downtown Oshkosh featuring a daycare, and the redevelopment of Washington School into 19 workforce homes in partnership with the school district and Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, the Boat Works Project is transforming a contaminated industrial site into 56 affordable workforce units. Beyond affordable housing, we’ve supported the creation of hundreds of market-rate units, including new subdivisions and several downtown apartment buildings.
In addition, numerous code updates and policy changes have made it easier for new projects to get done and existing homeowners to update their house.
Housing is more than a roof over our heads; it’s the foundation of a strong community. With thoughtful planning and collaboration, we can ensure that Oshkosh remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Downtown Revitalization
Downtown Oshkosh is the heart of our community—a place where businesses thrive, residents gather, and our city’s history and future intersect. Living just one block from Main Street, I see every day how special our city’s core truly is. A vibrant downtown is essential to fostering a sense of place, supporting small businesses, and creating a hub of activity that benefits the entire community.
Looking ahead, I want to continue building on the momentum we’ve created. We must focus on attracting even more investment into our downtown, supporting small businesses, and fostering new opportunities for growth.
Expanding programming, enhancing public spaces, and strengthening partnerships will help ensure downtown remains a welcoming and vibrant destination for everyone. I am also committed to addressing homelessness in our community by providing compassionate, actionable solutions that help individuals get back on their feet while ensuring downtown remains a safe and comfortable place for all.
Progress:
Over the past two years, we’ve seen significant investment in downtown Oshkosh. I helped forge a public-private partnership to support the Grand Opera House, which is currently undergoing a major renovation and addition. Once completed, this project will transform the Grand into a world-class venue, driving economic growth and establishing Oshkosh as a cultural destination.
Additionally, I was instrumental in securing ARPA funding to create a new nonprofit organization through the Business Improvement District. This nonprofit focuses on planning events and supporting local businesses, fostering collaboration, and enhancing downtown vitality.
To address homelessness downtown, we established a homeless outreach unit that pairs police officers with social workers to connect individuals to the resources they need to rebuild their lives. We’ve also created plans for a dedicated downtown precinct, ensuring public safety while providing support for vulnerable individuals.
These efforts have laid the foundation for a thriving downtown, but there is still work to do. I am committed to continuing this progress by fostering new investments, supporting local businesses, and ensuring our downtown remains a place where everyone feels welcome and proud to gather.
https://www.nbc26.com/oshkosh/new-downtown-police-precinct-part-of-homeless-outreach-program
Neighborhoods
Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of a thriving community. They foster a sense of identity, safety, and connection, creating a foundation for growth and well-being. I am committed to empowering neighborhoods, ensuring residents have the tools and resources to actively shape their future.
To support this vision, we secured $150,000 in ARPA funding for Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods, ensuring the organization can continue its vital work as the City’s primary neighborhoods organization. With these funds, Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods has been able to strengthening the bonds between residents and help to foster sense of community.
We’ve also updated policies to improve engagement and outreach, particularly during road projects. These updates prioritize communication, transparency, and collaboration, ensuring that residents are informed and involved in decisions that impact their streets and neighborhoods.
Progress:
Over the past two years, Oshkosh has made significant strides in enhancing our neighborhoods and public spaces, creating a stronger sense of community and belonging. A prime example is the development of William Waters Plaza in the River East Neighborhood, a project driven by neighborhood engagement and made possible through a public-private partnership. This vibrant space is a testament to the power of collaboration and serves as a central hub for residents to gather and connect.
With the support of secured funding, Oshkosh Healthy Neighborhoods has expanded its efforts, enhancing community events, improvement projects, and advocacy initiatives across the city. Updated outreach policies for road projects have fostered a more inclusive process, ensuring residents’ voices are heard and building trust in key decisions.
Parks and neighborhoods are the foundation of a thriving community. By continuing to invest in these vital resources, we can ensure Oshkosh remains a city where every resident feels connected, engaged, and proud to call home.
William Waters Plaza:
Community-Built Budget
A budget that works for all starts with a commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in managing our city’s finances. With a Master’s in Public Administration and specialized training in municipal financing, I bring a strong foundation in crafting balanced, fair budgets that reflect our shared priorities. My vision includes implementing a proactive biennial property assessment policy to prevent sudden, steep increases in taxes, allowing adjustments to be spread over multiple years. This approach ensures predictability and fairness for residents and businesses alike.
In addition, I am committed to leveraging alternative funding sources, such as Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), grants, and other non-levy mechanisms, to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. These tools allow us to invest in critical infrastructure and services while minimizing reliance on property taxes.
Progress:
The 2025 Oshkosh budget achieved meaningful progress in financial management, reducing the overall tax levy by 1.17% and lowering the tax rate to $8.14 per $1,000 of assessed value. However, the citywide property revaluation—the first since 2017—revealed a 53% increase in assessed property values. This caused many homeowners to face higher taxes despite the budget’s overall decrease, and the tax burden shifted significantly from commercial to residential properties, further straining households.
To address these challenges and reduce the strain on taxpayers, we have prioritized the use of alternative funding sources to support critical projects and services. For instance, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) have been instrumental in promoting affordable housing and building essential infrastructure without relying on the general levy. Additionally, Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) has helped us invest in development projects that grow our tax base and create long-term revenue, reducing the immediate financial impact on residents.
While these methods helped avoid a serious tax increase this year, continued work is needed to reduce the property tax burden on residential homeowners and create a more balanced, equitable system for all. By combining sound fiscal management with innovative funding solutions, we can ensure a thriving and fair future for Oshkosh.
