KAUKAUNA — Prior to Dan Schafer’s announcement that he was withdrawing from the mayor’s race against incumbent Tony Penterman, we asked both candidates to provide Kaukauna Community News with their positions on the issues. Here is Penterman’s response.
Note that early, in-person voting begins March 24. The 2026 spring general election is April 7.
Name: Tony Penterman, 53, Kaukauna High School Class of 1991
Relevant experience: 8 years as Mayor, 11 years on the Common Council. I have served on the following committees.
*City Plan Commission: Chairman
*Health and Recreation Committee: Chairman
*Public Protection and Safety: Chairman
*Finance and Personal Committee: Chairman
*Board of Review: Chairman
*Board of Public Works: Vice-Chairman
*Legislative Committee: Vice Chairman
*Utilities Commission: Member
*Fox Cities Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board
Link to campaign website or Facebook page:
Mayor Tony Penterman https://facebook.com/pentermanformayor
Why are you running for office?
Many residents and business owners have encouraged me to run again because they value the direction Kaukauna is heading and the progress we’ve made. Since 2018, we’ve seen over $120 million in new business investments/expansions and added more than 580 housing units to strengthen our housing supply. I’ve saved taxpayers over $12 million through state and federal grants and private donations. Of that $5 million was invested in park and trail upgrades and $1.8 million in low-cost loans as part of our downtown revitalization. I’m running for mayor because I love this city and want to keep moving Kaukauna forward.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Over the last 19 years I have proven that I am a committed, experienced leader for the city of Kaukauna. We will be facing some difficult decisions in the near future some that have been months and years in the making. Any change in leadership would be detrimental to current and future developments. As your mayor I will continue to work diligently with my fellow Council members and city staff to make decisions that are in the best interest of the city. With my Common Council/Mayoral experience, coupled with my strong community service ethic makes me the most qualified candidate.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Property Taxes – Local taxes jumped 6.4% in 2025 driven mostly by school referenda. Rising costs and stagnant state funding continue to make it harder for municipalities to fund critical (police/fire/sanitation) services. I will continue to lobby our State Legislatures for more State aid.
Street Reconstruction – Concrete costs continuing to rise. Seniors, people on fixed incomes, young families just starting out cannot afford these hardships. Continue to look for ways to help lessen the burden of these assessments.
Data Centers – Our groundwater is gold and we cannot sell that out at the expense of our children and grandchildren. Say “NO” to data centers.
Affordable Senior and Low to Moderate Income Housing – Our senior population, and young families just starting out need affordable housing. We will look at the last 2 years of TIF funds to help developers fund them.
Girl Scout Camp – protect the GSC at 1000 Islands from being sold for private development
Misinformation – The City of Kaukauna and the Kaukauna Area School District are two separate entities. KASD bought land and are deciding to build a new middle school, not the city.
