City Hoards Taxpayer Money

Shorewood has a money problem. They have too much! At what point does prudent saving become hoarding at your expense?

“Shorewood’s Reserve Policy”Put Through the AI Test

We asked ChatGPT to review Shorewood’s Reserve Policy. In its simplest term, reserves are a savings account that the city holds in case of emergency. Shorewood City Council has adopted a Reserve Policy of 35% - 50% of next year's expenses.

Shorewood’s Long-Term Financial Plan:What Will It Cost Taxpayers?

Shorewood’s 10-year financial plan provides a detailed look at where City finances are headed. The numbers raise an important question for residents: “Are we planning to spend what we need—or simply planning to find the money to pay for what we want?”

July 27, 2026 Shorewood Council Meeting 3 Minute Recap

Some items of interest from the Shorewood council meeting: – SLMPD 2027 Budget Proposal – Pavement Management Plan – Club Lane Demolition Assessment

Youth Program Calls Shorewood Community Center Home

While the Shorewood Community & Event Center (SCEC) has struggled to change its identity from “just for seniors”, a youth program has quietly and successfully used the center as its home base for over a decade. Who knew?

SCA & Citizens Unite to Transform Engineering Budget

It took two years, resident Barry Brown regularly speaking at council meetings, seven SCA articles and widespread pressure on the city council by residents, to rein in the burgeoning engineering fees charged by Bolton & Menk. Now, the council has hammered out a compromise we can live with.

12% City Tax Increase?

Are you prepared to take another tax increase? After a 29.4% tax and services increase over the last 4 years, city finance director Jeanne Schmuck presented city council with a proposed 12% tax increase for 2027.

Utility Bills Soar in Shorewood

Have you looked at your utility bill this past quarter? Residents are stunned to find it’s costing more than $100 more per quarter or $400 more per year - never mind the city's 9% property tax increase!

$4.0 Million! Give Us A Break Already

Upon hearing resident Barry Brown’s speech during the city council meeting of March 23, 2026 we requested Mr. Brown to provide his documentation to SCA for a follow-up story. Here’s what you need to know, in his words:

Shorewood Resident Calls for Fiscal Sanity

Long time Shorewood resident Greg Larson raises concerns about the significant amount of money Shorewood spends for engineering consultants. This topic will be discussed at a council work session at 6:00 on Monday, Mar. 23, at Shorewood City Hall.

Here We Go Again! Another $7.50M Engineering Cost

Based on Shorewood’s 2025 Long Range Financial Plan and 10 Year Capital Improvement Plan , over the next 6 years, the estimated charges from engineering firm Bolton & Menk are projected to total $7.5M. Or, Shorewood could hire four internal staff engineers and save taxpayers $600k per year.

How Did Shorewood Spend $883k in COVID Relief Funds?

Are you sick of talking about COVID? Pun intended. Well this isn’t really about COVID, it’s about $883k given to the city of Shorewood to protect the citizens of Shorewood and it mostly all went down the drain. Literally!

Shorewood Citizen Advocates

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