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City of Portage Mayor, 115 W Pleasant Street, Portage, WI (2026)

09/01/2026

Hello Portage Residents,
I can’t believe August has already gone by. Kids are back to school and pumpkin spice will be overrunning all of us here very quickly. Alright, let’s get to some updates.

>National Night Out was on August 4th. It was great to see all of you, and hopefully the brief storm didn’t dampen your spirits! I also hope that you all had a great time at Taste of Portage this past weekend!

>Our Common Council meeting on August 13th had a bit of a lighter agenda, as we hit a bit of a calm before the budget process kicks off. The council approved payments, addressed a few liquor licenses, reviewed airport hangar lease agreements, and completed contract awards for the Collipp-Worden Bathroom upgrades.

>Roadwork is progressing nicely on East Pleasant Street, with utility work being completed. Workers are now putting in curb and grading the roadway prior to asphalt being laid later on. You have also noticed the signals work on New Pinery as upgraded lights are being placed in. This project will be wrapped up later this fall.

>Our library is preparing for the “Big Read” book later this fall, from Oct 1st-Nov 30th. This year’s book is “Women of the Revolution: Bravery and Sacrifice on the Southern Battlefields” by Robert M. Dunkerly. This book details women’s roles in the Revolutionary War as Part of America’s 250th. There will be a kick-off on October 1st at 5pm with the author at the library. Contact the library if you have questions!

>Across from Hart and Olson Dentistry, you are seeing the start of construction for the Rivers Crossing Apartment Complex. This complex has 52 units and includes some income restricted units reserved for veterans and people with autism who can live independently, but need some assistance. The remaining units will be market-rate rents.

>You will also see construction at the intersection of Eastridge Drive and New Pinery, next to BMO Harris Bank. The Plan Commission approved a Verizon Store site plan, so construction should be underway in the near future. Construction is also moving along nicely at the future Dunkin/Baskin Robbins site across from Kwik Trip North.

>From August 19th-21st, myself, Administrator Schoenemann, and Director of Planning Sam Kraegel attended the meeting of the Chief Executives in Lake Geneva. This meeting brought Administrators and Mayors from across the state together to discuss common issues, propose solutions, and learn about upcoming events, regulations, laws, and problems to help us serve you better. We discussed countless topics, from road repairs, budgets, and E-bike issues (more on that later in this post). I feel it is important to stress that the issues we see here in Portage are not unique to us; mayors from across the state have also voiced their concerns about similar problems as well.

>Starting in September, the city will be starting its annual budget process. We are requiring a 0% increase from our department heads. In late September, I plan on creating a video series explaining our city’s budget and how it works, along with where your tax dollars go. Stay tuned!

For this month’s “deep dive” subject, I want to talk about E-bikes. At the Chief Executive’s Conference, there was very intense debate and discussion from mayors and administrators from all over the state, each with their own experiences and thoughts about how to proceed. This issue exploded statewide this summer, and many municipalities have differing points of view. With that context, let’s proceed.

E-bikes are regulated under state law as Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3. A Class 1 can assist a rider with pedals and can go up to 20mph. A Class 2 has pedals, but the motor itself can propel the rider up to 20mph. A Class 3 E-bike can have pedal assist up to 28mph. Considering that E-bikes are regulated under state law, the city does NOT have the power to ban them. The city can create ordinances that prohibit certain actions and impose consequences for those. I have talked with my police department about some of those options, and I want to share what some of those are.

The city CAN target “unsafe riding practices.” Neenah and Menasha recently passed ordinances that ban unsafe riding actions such as racing, towing riders, or stunt/trick riding. Additionally, the city can decide whether or not E-bikes are allowed on park paths, the levee trail, or if they can ride on sidewalks or the roadway. Keep in mind, however, if we tell E-bike riders they are not allowed on sidewalks, they will have to ride ON roads, including state highways such as 16, 33, and 51. The city can also require E-bike riders to wear helmets when they ride, and we can impound E-bikes that consistently violate our ordinances or engage in negligent operation.

At our conference, attorneys from the League of Wisconsin Municipalities explicitly advised us against creating age restrictions for E-bike use and trying to issue E-bike licenses. These ordinances would likely be struck down in court as violations of state law.

This is also the part where I make an appeal to citizens and parents. As Mayor, I can advocate, educate, and listen to residents, but I cannot make ordinances by myself. This requires the Common Council to act. This topic has been brought before our Council’s Legislative Committee, with input from our police department, and the city is actively working on our next steps. If you have suggestions and recommendations, please contact your alder! I will put a link in the comments below with our alders’ contact information. Share your ideas with your alder, including what the city should do next, or make a public comment at our next meeting. For example, would you support helmet laws? Unsafe driving/stunt driving laws? I have had a few people reach out to me with suggestions, and I encourage you to reach out to your alder with yours.

I ask that parents please talk with your children about safe and responsible E-bike use. Children who ride through stop signs, operate at fast speeds, or fail to pay attention risk serious injury. Mayors in the Milwaukee area have brought up concerns they have heard from doctors at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin about the rapid rise of severe injuries due to e-bike use. Additionally, please research information on safety, reliability, and maintenance requirements before considering purchasing these for your children. Also, be aware that people can make modifications to these e-bikes to go faster than these were originally intended to go, which can increase risk to children’s safety. It’s important to note that city ordinances are part of the solution, but there are limits to what we can do. Parents, community members, and e-bike riders all play a role in keeping everyone safe here.

Lastly, I also wanted to share that it is important to keep things in perspective. Yes, e-bikes are a growing concern, and I do worry about accidents with them. But for every Facebook post about e-bike riders acting in an unsafe manner, there are many more riders who are riding safely and responsibly. The city’s goal is balancing safety and accessibility. We have to think carefully about what rules will actually make people safer, where those rules can legally apply, and whether we can realistically enforce them. Our goal is to educate and communicate rather than try to punish.

As always, reach out to myself or an alder with any questions you have!
-Mayor Matt

08/07/2026

In case you aren’t aware, there’s a blood shortage right now! Next week the Red Cross is having a blood drive. Check out this for more information.

07/28/2026

Hello Portage Residents,

July is almost over already! How is summer going by so fast? Before we know it, school sports will be starting and summer will be over. Here’s a summary of what’s covered this month:

>Common Council and City Government Updates
>Flood Recovery and Preparedness Planning
>Upcoming Events (National Night Out, Primary Election, and Columbia County Fair)
> A Deep Dive of how Portage’s City Government Works

>The July 9th Common Council meeting saw a lot of action items, including approving licenses and planning for future projects. The Council approved an ordinance that allows building boathouses in certain areas along the rivers and Silver Lake, since our city code previously accidentally prohibited them.

>Another important item on the July 9th meeting was a debrief and discussion from what we learned during the April floods. The good news was that the community at large escaped major damage, and the minor issues with the City levee the were discovered are being fixed with the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, the city did learn a lot and we did have some equipment that will need to be addressed. The first is that due to the high amount of pumping necessary to keep certain neighborhoods dry resulted in one of our pumps burning up (literally, it caught fire). Our public works staff noted that some of our pumps are aging, and future flood events like this will stress our infrastructure, meaning the city needs to examine buying larger pumps. Furthermore, our fire department noted that our current rescue Hovercraft (from 1999) will need to be replaced soon, as trying to safely navigate the areas near Blackhawk Park were a challenge. Our Fire Department’s rescue boat isn’t designed for shallow water rescue operations and needs to be addressed in the future.

>Our annual crack fill and chip seal projects were completed within the last couple of weeks. These projects are designed to extend the life of our roads. Additionally, the resurfacing project on Boeck Road was recently completed. The East Pleasant Street reconstruction project is progressing nicely as well.

>Coming up next week is National Night Out, which takes place on August 4 at Collipp-Worden Park. This will be from 5-7:30pm and the theme is Superhero Night. Come on out to meet our first responders, local government agencies, and businesses to see all the cool things they do!

>The Partisan Primary Election is on Tuesday, August 11. If you have not requested your absentee ballot already, you can still do so. Our early in-person voting hours are 8am-4:30pm July 27-30th and August 3-6, 8am-12:30pm on July 31st, and 8am-5pm Friday, August 7th. Make sure your voice is heard!

>Our library’s K-5th grade reading program has been a big success so far! As of July 25th, our K-5 age group has read 241,380 minutes! That is equal to 167 days of reading! Our Birth-PreK kids were read to 3,906 times! For those who prefer hard copies, I have printouts of this letter at the Library Entrance.

>This week is the Columbia County Fair! It will definitely be a hot and humid week, so make sure you are staying hydrated while you are out having fun. I hope to see all of you out there!

For this month's deep dive, I thought it would be helpful to explain how city government works and what responsibilities belong to city staff, the Common Council, and the Mayor. I wanted to cover this because I regularly receive emails or calls that say, "Hey Mr. Mayor, the city should do X." I always appreciate hearing from residents, but many people are surprised to learn that the mayor cannot simply decide to spend money, change city policy, or direct projects on my own. Our city government is designed so that different people have different responsibilities and voices are heard. There are three main parts of Portage's government: our professional city staff, the Common Council, and the Mayor. (We also have a Municipal Judge, but I'll leave that role out for today's discussion.)

City Staff

Our city staff are the professionals who provide the services that keep Portage running every day. Public Works crews maintain streets and infrastructure, police and firefighters respond to calls, Parks/Rec staff care for our public spaces, and employees throughout City Hall, the utilities, and the library provide the services residents rely on that range from elections, development, permitting, and much more. They are the experts who carry out the day-to-day work of government and provide advice to elected officials.

The Common Council

Portage has 9 aldermanic districts, each represented by an alderperson. The Council is responsible for passing ordinances, approving the budget, setting city policy, and deciding how city funds are spent. That's why I encourage residents to contact their alderperson. If you want the city to address a project, change an ordinance, or adopt a new policy, those decisions are made by the Council—not the Mayor.

For example, I sometimes hear, "Mr. Mayor, you should fix this street." While I understand the concern, I don't have the authority to decide which streets are funded or when projects move forward. Those decisions are made by the Council after considering recommendations from city staff, available funding, and long-term planning. I can advocate for an issue, but the final decision belongs to the Council.

What Does the Mayor Do?

The Mayor's role is less about making decisions and more about providing leadership and helping the Council make informed choices. I appoint members to city boards and commissions, help determine what topics come before the Council for discussion, propose policy changes, run meetings, and have veto authority, although I believe that should be used sparingly.

Much of my work happens behind the scenes. I regularly meet with city staff, other mayors, business leaders, nonprofits, and state officials to learn what challenges other cities are facing and what solutions have worked. I also work closely with staff to research issues, evaluate options, and prepare information so the Council can make well-informed decisions. Many of the discussions and hours of preparation happen long before an item ever appears on a Council agenda. My job is to ask questions, gather information, build consensus, and help ensure decisions are based on facts rather than quick reactions.

It's a Team Effort

Good local government depends on collaboration. City staff provide professional expertise and services, the Common Council makes policy and budget decisions, and the Mayor helps bring people together, research solutions, and guide the process. I hope this helps explain who is responsible for what in city government. As always, if you have questions or ideas, please reach out. I always enjoy hearing from residents, and I encourage you to stay connected with both your alderperson and my office as we continue working together to make Portage an even better place to live.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to myself or an alder!
-Mayor Matt

07/15/2026

Hello all,
I try to explain a lot of different things to all of you. One idea I had was to try a video format to help show visual learners big topics. This one came in about 7 minutes, but if you are curious how housing works as a system this video can help you understand. If you don’t have that long, here’s the brief summary:
>Housing is a big cycle: young people usually start out in apartments, then buy a starter home or larger “family” home as they get promotions and have kids, then older people usually downsize into smaller homes or apartments as they get older.
>Building 3-bedroom apartments is not economical, and harder for builders to make a profit on, which is why they aren’t being built.
>The city wants all types of housing, and single family, duplexes, and multifamily are all being built currently. Due to high interest rates and materials costs, multifamily apartments are easiest to build now.
>Building any type of housing helps everyone because it keeps the circle moving.

06/30/2026

Hello Portage residents,

Where did June go? It’s already almost July and America’s 250th is right around the corner. Wishing all of you a happy and safe 4th of July! Alright, let’s get to the updates.

>You have probably seen some construction signs out. This summer, the city is doing a complete reconstruction of East Pleasant Street from Dewitt Street to Hamilton street. Construction is set to start on July 1st and go through most of the summer. The city also resurfaced Boeck Road in the industrial park as well. Once these projects are complete, the city will begin sidewalk repairs this fall.

> New housing is also coming! On the June 12th Common Council meeting, final approval was given for developer Impact Seven to begin their Rivers Crossing Apartment Complex. This apartment complex will be 52 units total, with one-third of the units being reserved for veterans and people with autism who can live independently but need support, one-third being reserved for people who make less than 60% of Columbia County median income (roughly $44,000 for one person, $51,000 for two people, or $63,000 for a family of four), and the last third will be market rate apartments. This project will be vital to providing affordable housing for people who really need it.

> The Common Council also discussed ATV/UTV usage at the meeting on June 12th. The Council recommended that city staff begin talking with the state for permission to open up state highways within city limits to ATV usage. Once this process takes place, the council will make a final decision on whether or not to open up ATV/UTVs in city limits. See my post from earlier in June to read the whole process.

>The city is also transitioning to a new payment system for our utility bills. Previously, the city contracted with PSN to provide payments. Now, city will be using Our Community Connect. The city sent mailings out to residents the week of June 22nd, and it is also on our page and city website. There will be a link posted in the comments to sign up if you have not done so already.

> As I have previously mentioned, last year the city discovered leaks in many pipes under the splash pad. The city is currently looking at options to either repair or replace, and we would like your feedback. Starting July 1st, there will be a QR code at the splash pad with a survey. Please take it and share your thoughts with us! This survey will also be on our Parks Department page.

>I saw several of you out and about this past month. I was at the Fort Winnebago Surgeon’s Quarters on June 7th as part of their “Becoming Wisconsin” program as part of America’s 250th celebration. I also saw many of you at the Elks Lodge on Flag Day for their Flag Day celebration (photo included).

>At the June 26th Common Council meeting, alders examined the results of our audit from Baker Tilly and examined financial options as part of our 5-year financial plan process. Last April, the city’s credit rating was downgraded due to high debt. This 5-year financial plan presented options to us to raise revenue, pay down our debts, and ensure that we can continue to provide services to citizens.

>The Wisconsin Primary Election is coming up soon, and is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11th. If you would like to request an absentee ballot, you can already do so.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to myself or an alder! Have a Happy and Safe 4th!

-Mayor Matt

06/21/2026

I promised a while back I would make a long post about ATV/UTV routes in Portage. This is that post.

One of the most common questions I've received is why Portage doesn't currently allow ATVs and UTVs on city streets. The short answer is that the city is open to discussing ATV access, but creating safe, legal, and connected routes into and through Portage is more complicated than simply passing a city ordinance.

Bottom Line�• The City of Portage is not opposed to ATV/UTV use.�• The biggest challenge is creating legal routes that connect Portage to surrounding ATV trails.�• The Common Council recently discussed the issue and directed staff to continue exploring options.�• No changes have been approved at this time.

The biggest obstacle is access. Portage only has a handful of roads leading into the city: Highways 51, 33, and 16, along with County Roads CX and O.

Under current state law, ATVs may only operate on state highways with speed limits under 35 mph. Highways 51, 33, and 16 are currently posted at 45 mph, and the City does not have the authority to lower those speed limits. That authority belongs to the state.

County Road CX is currently closed to ATV traffic because it serves as an Interstate 39 detour route during major traffic incidents. That leaves County Road O as the only ATV-accessible route into Portage today. While O provides some access, it does not connect riders particularly well to destinations throughout the city or to the broader trail system.

Portage's geography creates additional challenges. The Wisconsin River, Fox River, wetlands, and Interstate 39 limit potential trail routes and make alternative access difficult without significant infrastructure investments or agreements with private property owners.

For those reasons, the question isn't simply whether Portage should allow ATVs on city streets. The larger question is whether a legal and practical route can be created that connects Portage to surrounding ATV routes.

The City has already taken several steps to evaluate the issue. We have met with local ATV club representatives, gathered feedback from our Public Works Department and Police Department, and discussed the matter at the June 12 Common Council meeting.

The feedback from city departments has generally been positive. From a Public Works perspective, implementation would primarily involve installing signage. Our Police Department also contacted other communities that allow ATV traffic, and many reported few significant issues related to ATV use.

During the Council discussion, representatives from the county ATV club indicated that Columbia County may be open to allowing ATV traffic on portions of County Road CX if the City were to allow ATV use on city streets. That would help address one of the major access challenges by providing another route into Portage.
However, even if CX were opened, riders would still face limitations due to state highway regulations. ATVs would not currently be able to travel into town on Highways 16, 33, or 51 because of existing speed limits and state law.

As a result, the Council recommended that city staff begin discussions with state officials regarding the possibility of allowing ATV use on state highways within city limits. We also recognize that long-term solutions may require continued cooperation with Columbia County and other partners.
It is important to remember that Portage has relatively few entry points compared to neighboring communities. While communities such as Baraboo and Reedsburg have numerous local roads connecting them to surrounding areas, Portage relies exclusively on state highways and county roads. That means the City has less local control over potential ATV access routes than many neighboring cities.

Because access would remain limited, ATV traffic would likely be concentrated on the north side of the city near retail and commercial areas (Runnings, Wal-Mart, etc) rather than throughout Portage. For that reason, any future ATV use in Portage would likely look different from what residents see in some neighboring communities.

As you can see, there are a lot of moving parts involved in this discussion. However, the City is actively exploring options and gathering information so that the Council can make an informed decision.

The next step is for staff to contact state officials regarding highway access and continue discussions with county partners. Once additional information is available, the Council will review it and determine whether further action is appropriate.

We will continue to keep residents updated as these discussions move forward. As always, if you have questions, concerns, or feedback, please contact me or your alderperson.

-Mayor Matt

05/27/2026

Hello Portage Residents,
May just flew by! Schools are getting out and summer has arrived! We have been very busy as we move into summer, and we have some updates to share.

>On the May 14th Common Council Meeting, the council approved construction awards for the reconstruction of East Pleasant Street. East Pleasant will be fully reconstructed this summer all the way from DeWitt Street to Hamilton Street. Additionally, the Council approved awards for our crack fill and chip seal projects later this summer. There are too many streets to name for those, but they are located in various places all around town.

>The Rolling Prairie Dog Park is now open and ready for residents and their furry friends to enjoy. City of Portage residents with a current licensed dog tag may use the park free of charge. Non-residents may purchase an annual pass at City Hall for $30 or a daily pass onsite for $3. Please remember to pick up after your dogs and help keep the park clean for everyone.

>The Splashpad is also now open daily from 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; however, we are currently experiencing some underground waterline issues that are affecting a few features, and the City is actively working on solutions.

>As summer is beginning, you have probably noticed the mosquitoes are out. It is important to follow a few simple steps to minimize their impact. First, mow your lawn to keep grass short. Mosquitoes and ticks love tall grass, so frequent mowing reduces their habitat. Secondly, keep your lawns clean and tidy. Mosquitoes hate direct sunlight, so if you have junk in your yard (especially tires, tarps, or woodpiles) please remove them. Lastly, reduce standing water around your property; dump water out of containers after rain and change bird baths every few days.

>With the recent warm weather, grass has been growing very fast. As I just mentioned, having tall grass invites mosquitoes and ticks. City ordinance requires grass to be shorter than 8 inches, and if not, the property is in violation. If you notice a property with exceptionally tall grass, call the Police Department at 608-742-2171 so that we can address it with the property owner.

>You have probably seen work being done across from Kwik Trip North next to subway. Last month, the Plan Commission approved 3 new restaurants in that spot: The Dunkin Donuts currently in Walmart will relocate there, in addition to a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, and an additional restaurant that will be named later. The plan is they will be open later this fall.

>As part of my push to build more housing, Plan Commission provided input on rule changes designed to build alternate types of housing, including “cottage style developments” (which are tiny home communities designed around a shared green space) and permitting four and six-plex townhomes, which are increasing in popularity.

>Our Summer Library Program is starting up. This year’s theme is Unearth a Story, and there are several events for children and teens. On Wednesday, June 3rd, Ms. Kim’s Amazing Animals program will take place at 10am in the Children’s Program Room. Teen Thursdays start at 12pm and feature arts and crafts, along with a free PG-13 movie from the Jurassic Park series. The library will also have free popcorn for the movie.

>On Saturday, June 20th, there will be a showing of the documentary “The Librarians” at 12pm in the library. This documentary examines the increase in book banning in America and the impact this is having on public libraries, librarians, and library workers. There will be popcorn and a question and answer period following the showing.

>The Summer Lunch Program begins Monday, June 1st. The times and locations are as follows: Goodyear Park, 11-11:30am; The Portage Public Library, 11:15-11:45am; Lincoln Park 11:40-Noon; Sanborn Park 12:15pm-12:35pm.

>Don’t forget: if someone wants updates but lacks internet access, I do print out some copies of this monthly update and have then at the library. They are right when you walk in below the bulletin board.

I also wanted to address a question I have been getting a bit more lately: Will Portage open up to ATV/UTV use in city streets? The city is actively looking into this question and gathering more information on what it would look like.
The question isn’t “Can Portage open up ATV/UTV access in the city?” but rather “If Portage did open up, what would it look like, and how would it be done to ensure it works the way everyone wants it to?” We are still going through that last question, and I will look forward to having that discussion here in the coming months. I plan on sharing more about this in the future.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to myself or an alder!
-Mayor Matt

04/30/2026

Hello Portage Residents,
April is finally in the books. This was definitely my busiest month as mayor by far, especially with the floods that took place earlier this month. I’m glad we didn’t have more serious problems. Alright, let’s get to the news.

>District 4 Alder Steve Rohrbeck unexpectedly passed away on Feb 9th. After a process to find a replacement to fill out the remainder of his term, Lydia Foss was appointed to his seat. She was sworn in on April 9th.

>Our municipal Judge, Karl Kindschi, is retiring on June 8th after many years on the bench. Bob Bagnall has been appointed to take over once Karl retires. Thank you, Karl, for your service to our community!

>The flooding that took place this past month was only 2 inches short of record breaking. For a while, it looked like we would exceed record flood stage. The city also took some very heavy rain events during this time too that were made harder by the fact the ground was saturated. However, I was amazed by how our community, county, and state responded. Professionals from Wisconsin Emergency Management, Columbia County, The Wisconsin DNR, Army Corps of Engineers, and many other agencies all worked together to address this issue. In particular, I want to shout out thanks to our Department of Public Works staff, who worked to move pumps to vulnerable areas and ran long hours to put sand in locations we were concerned about. Our fire and police department did a wonderful job collaborating with the state and county on every possible scenario. I also want to thank local businesses and nonprofits that stepped up to help, from the Red Cross, the Lions Club, our area churches, and so many more. Thank you all!

>Our Common Council had a bit less on the agenda this month as city staff was preoccupied with the flooding. Council approved paying invoices as well as combining committees for a more efficient government. Our council approved merging Finance and HR committees into one (since hiring people and retirements always impact budgets) and merging Airport and Municipal Services Committee into one as well (since both require our Public Works Department to manage and maintain).

>Lastly, but not least, we recognized the 11 years of service that Captain Dan Garrigan gave to our Police Department as he retires next month. Captain Garrigan spent many years with the Columbia County Sheriffs Department before joining the Portage Police Department in 2015. Enjoy your retirement!

For this month’s deep dive: Assessments! Many residents are understandably worried after receiving their reassessment letters. When you see your property value increase, it’s natural to assume your taxes will rise too. But assessments don’t work that way. As I promised last week, here is a more detailed explanation as to how they work.

When we talk about property taxes, the levy is the big-picture number: It’s the total pool of money your city, county, or school district needs to raise through property taxes to fund their services. It is not your individual tax bill.
Think of it like a pizza, the levy is the size of the pizza. Your assessment, the value assigned for taxing purposes, is a slice of the pizza. The assessment does not determine your property tax bill; it determines how big your slice of the pizza will be. When assessments go up, people often assume the “pizza” must be getting bigger. But the levy—the total amount of money local governments are allowed to collect—may not have changed at all. If the levy stays the same, the pizza stays the same size.

When it comes to what your property tax bill will be, what matters most is the levy. Last year, Portage’s levy was $9.86 million, a slight decrease from 2024. A city’s ability to increase its levy is highly restricted under state law, with limited exceptions such as new construction, voter-approved referendums, or debt obligations.

Property assessments do not determine how much total tax is collected. Instead, they determine how that total is divided among property owners.
Here’s what that means in practice:

Imagine a city with four homeowners and a total levy of $10,000. If all four homes are assessed at equal values, each homeowner pays $2,500. Over time, property values change. Suppose one homeowner (Homeowner A) makes major upgrades, another makes moderate improvements (Homeowner b, and two see little change (C and D). When the city reassesses property values, those changes are reflected. (See photo that is included-again, note the circles are the same size)

Even if the total levy stays the same at $10,000, the share each homeowner pays can shift:
Homes that increased more in value may pay a larger share.
Homes that increased less in value may pay a smaller share.
The total taxes collected by the city haven’t changed, rather who pays what portion has.

It’s also important to note that the city is only one part of your property tax bill. Other taxing jurisdictions (the school district, county, and technical college) also set their own levies. So even if the city’s portion stays the same or decreases, your total bill can still change depending on those other factors.

In Portage, overall property values increased by about 11% last year, largely due to rising home prices. The city does not control the real estate market, and assessments are updated to reflect those market conditions. That’s part of why I have been trying so hard to get more growth in the city. If more people are paying into the pot, the less each person has to pay or help absorb increases. When new homes, apartments, and businesses are added to the tax base, it can help spread costs across more properties.

What this means for you:
If your property value increased less than the city average, your tax bill may stay the same or even decrease
If your property value increased more than the city average, your tax bill may increase

The key takeaway is this:
Property assessments change who pays what share of the total tax levy—they do not, by themselves, increase the total amount of taxes collected.

City of Portage Mayor

09/01/2026

08/07/2026

07/28/2026

07/15/2026

06/30/2026

06/21/2026

05/27/2026

04/30/2026

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