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The City of Racine has been named a 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), recognizing the City’s sustained efforts to expand access to affordable internet service, digital devices, and digital skills training for residents.

The designation places Racine among 58 communities nationwide recognized for leading local government efforts to close the digital divide and build inclusive digital ecosystems.

Digital inclusion is increasingly essential for everyday life, from accessing healthcare and education to applying for jobs and staying connected to community resources. Racine’s work focuses on ensuring residents have not only reliable internet access, but also the tools and training needed to use technology effectively.

“The City of Racine’s vision is to be a community where every member can actively participate and thrive in our digital society,” said Chief Information Officer Adele Edwards. “This recognition reflects years of community-driven collaboration, and we are proud to continue expanding digital access efforts in Racine and across Southeast Wisconsin.”

A cornerstone of Racine’s approach is the Digital Divide Roundtable (DDR), a three-year initiative that brought together more than 125 participants from over 55 community-based organizations, along with public and private partners. Through this collaborative model, the City and its partners advanced several resident-focused outcomes, including:

• The City of Racine Digital Equity Plan

• Racine Digital Literacy Fairs

• Annual Digital Inclusion Week programming

• The Digital Connectivity and Navigators Grant Program

• The City’s Digital Inclusion StoryMap, which helps residents understand local digital equity challenges and solutions

NDIA’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazer program highlights local governments that demonstrate best practices in advancing digital equity. Each Trailblazer’s work is reviewed for accuracy and community impact, then shared through NDIA’s national database to help other communities learn from proven models.

“Nonprofits, libraries, churches, and community organizations cannot achieve digital equity alone,” said Angela Siefer, executive director of NDIA. “Local governments play a critical role in building digital opportunities for all residents, and Racine’s work exemplifies that leadership.”

The recognition underscores Racine’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that access to technology, connectivity, and digital skills is not a barrier to opportunity for residents.

Beginning February 2, 2026, the Racine Water and Wastewater Utilities will relocate all in-person billing and payment services to City Hall, located at 730 Washington Avenue, as part of a citywide effort to streamline customer service.

This change follows action taken by the Common Council through the 2026 Adopted Operating and Capital Budget, which approved the consolidation of water and wastewater billing, payments, and customer support into the Department of Customer Service. The goal is to provide residents with a single, consistent “one-stop” experience for in-person, phone, and online services.

What’s Changing

• As of February 2, 2026, the utility front office and drop box at the City Hall Annex, 800 Center Street, will permanently close.
• Utility bill payments will be accepted at City Hall, at the Customer Service Counter in Room 103.
• Drop box payments can be made using the red drop box on the west side of City Hall, the same drop box used for property tax payments.
• Online payment options will not be affected by this change.

Why the Change Matters

By centralizing utility billing services at City Hall, the City is improving efficiencyThe state or quality of being efficient., reducing duplication, and making it easier for utility customers to access multiple services in one location. Customers will now receive the same level of assistance and support whether they visit in person, call, or pay online.

Additional details about the transition are included in an insert mailed with utility bills.

Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for details.

For any other questions or assistance, residents may contact the City Hall Customer Service Counter at 262-636-9171.

The City of Racine has launched a new bilingual community support services pilot to expand access to city resources for Spanish-speaking residents in a welcoming, neighborhood-based setting. The pilot was formally introduced on January 6, 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the start of a new approach to delivering customer service outside of City Hall.

The service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Avenue. By operating from a community center rather than a traditional government office, the City aims to create a more approachable entry point for residents who may feel hesitant or uncomfortable navigating city services in a formal setting.

The pilot is staffed by Elisa Lopez, who serves as a bilingual liaison between residents and City services. Support includes helping residents navigate city services, complete forms, submit service requests, understand property tax information, and connect with the appropriate city departments or partner agencies. The emphasis is on personalized assistance and creating an environment where residents feel comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.

The bilingual support services program functions as a satellite presence of the City’s Department of Customer Service, made possible through a partnership with the Parks, RecreationActivity done for enjoyment when one is not working. and Cultural Services Department, which designated space within the Cesar Chavez Community Center to host the pilot. In addition to one-on-one support, the liaison role helps strengthen language access efforts, track common questions and service needs, and share feedback with the Department of Customer Service to inform future improvements. Community awareness and usage will guide decisions on whether and how the City expands bilingual services in the future, including additional service days, locations, or languages.

Residents are encouraged to stop in during service hours to learn more, ask questions, or connect with city resources.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, City Hall will be closed Monday, January 19th. This includes city offices under this administration in the Annex.

We hope you have a meaningful holiday!

Beginning Monday, December 8, new operating hours will go into effect for the Police Department’s front counter and drive-up window.

Front Counter Hours
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Drive-Up Window Hours
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Police Department is located at 730 Center Street. Residents with questions about the updated hours may call the department’s general information line at (262) 635-7700.

For further details on the Commission Meeting, please view the City’s Legislative Calendar on legistar.
Click the following link to view the Utility’s Draft Water Supply Plan.

Public Comments can be submitted via email to the Utility Chief Engineer at: chad.regalia@cityofracine.org

The City of Racine’s Department of Public Works is notifying residents that in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, there will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, 2025.

In addition, the City of Racine’s Department of Public Works is notifying residents that in observance of the Christmas Holiday, there will be no solid waste or recycling collection on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

To ensure collection, carts must be placed at the curb or alley line by 7:00 a.m. on your designated day—even if that day has changed due to the holiday rotation.

To check your collection schedule, you can click the following link to look up your address: City of Racine – Collection Look Up. If you have questions or need assistance determining your updated schedule, please contact the Department of Customer Service at 262-636-9171.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to maintain timely and efficient waste and recycling services for the community.

Please see the below document for information on new collection dates.

November and December Collection Schedule

Please click the links below to view the 2026 Proposed Budget and Proposed Budget Documents.

2026 City of Racine Proposed Budget Book PDF

Beginning November 1, SNAP (FoodShare) benefits will be temporarily paused due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This pause will affect thousands of Racine residents who depend on SNAP benefits for groceries and essential food items.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has confirmed that no new FoodShare funds will be issued until the shutdown ends. Residents can continue using any remaining funds on their QUEST cards, but should be aware that federal restrictions may limit card use if the shutdown continues into November.

FoodShare applications are still being accepted, though approvals for applications submitted on or after October 21 may be delayed until federal funding resumes. WIC benefits are not affected at this time and are expected to continue as scheduled.

Mayor Cory Mason presented the City of Racine’s proposed 2026 budget to the Common Council, outlining a balanced financial plan that cuts no services, eliminates no positions, and reduces the property tax rate for the eighth consecutive year.

“This budget continues to build on Racine’s foundation — investing in our neighborhoods, infrastructureThe basic systems and services, such as transportation and power supplies, and people — while remaining fiscally responsible,” said Mayor Mason.

Please see the link to view the 2026 Proposed Budget.

The Proposed Budget book can be found here.

Additional budget information can be found here.

To view the budget meeting schedule, please visit our Legistar meeting calendar.

The City of Racine Public Health Department has released its list of Warming Centers for the 2025-26 winter season.

This list contains facilities throughout the City of Racine where residents in need can seek shelter during periods of extreme cold weather throughout the winter. Location hours and availability may be affected during extreme weather events or due to other factors such as holidays.

The City of Racine is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating Digital Inclusion Week 2025, a nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness about digital equity and the vital importance of inclusion in today’s increasingly digital world.

This year’s theme, Community-Driven Digital Futures, recognizes that the most impactful solutions for bridging the digital divide emerge directly from communities themselves.

City of Racine Takes New Safety Measures at Carre Hogle Park Following Summer Drowning

The City of Racine is continuing to enhance water safety measures following several tragic incidents this summer. While Racine’s Lake Michigan shoreline provides many recreational opportunities, not all areas are designated or staffed for swimming. To help reduce future risks, City departments have collaborated to strengthen safety resources at Carre Hogle Park.

A joint team from the Fire Department, Public Health Department, and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department recommended two key improvements, both of which have been recently installed at the park:

• “No Swimming” Signage: Clear bilingual signs are posted at the park shoreline, warning visitors that swimming is not permitted.
• Life Ring Buoys: A throw ring and weather-protected cabinet have been installed for emergency use.

“These steps won’t eliminate every risk, but they provide clearer warnings and critical life-saving tools in case of emergency,” said Mayor Cory Mason. “We remain committed to doing what we can to prevent future tragedies.”

The Racine Fire Department also reminds residents that water safety education is key, especially when it comes to Lake Michigan’s powerful rip currents and sudden conditions. Community members are encouraged to revisit a series of short videos created by the Racine Fire Department, Racine Unified School District, and Racine County:

Dangers of Riptide
Lake Michigan Overview
What to Be Aware Of
Life Jackets
Signs of Drowning

“Public safety is always a shared responsibility,” said Racine Assistant Fire Chief Brian Wolf. “These resources, both physical and educational, are part of a broader effort to ensure families can safely enjoy Racine’s lakefront.”

Beginning Monday, October 6, 2025, tuckpointing work will begin on the west façade of City Hall. The project is expected to last approximately four weeks.

During this time:

• The west entrance will be closed, except in the event of an emergency.
• Parking along the west side of the building will be closed, except for the designated handicap spaces (see attached diagram).
• The north, south, and east entrances will remain open at all times.

Please plan accordingly when entering or exiting the building. We appreciate your cooperation as this necessary maintenance work is completed.

The City of Racine’s Department of Community Safety invites residents to a free screening of The Body Politic on Wednesday, September 24, at the S.C. Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater.

This powerful documentary follows the City of Baltimore’s efforts to reduce gun violence and change the city’s trajectory. Immediately following the screening, local leaders working on similar strategies here in Racine will lead an interactive community panel on violence reduction and public safety.

Racine residents can now pick up free gun locks at public health vending machines around the city, resulting from a partnership between the Racine Public Health Department and the Racine Department of Community Safety.

For More Information visit : Journaltimes.com

As of June 2025, gun violence in Racine is down nearly 80% compared to this time last year. Nine people have been struck by gunfire, compared to 42 during the same period in 2024

For more information, visit: Racinecountyeye.com

On Sunday, Dec.8 2025, a candlelight vigil was held to honor members of the Racine community impacted by violence, hosted by the City of Racine’s Department of Community Safety.

For more information, visit:  cbs58.com

The Racine Department of Community Safety is offering to help fund local programs that focus on crime and violence reduction through a city grant program.

For more information visit :  Journaltimes

Recent Changes to the Taste and Odor of Your Drinking Water

Racine Water Utility remains committed to delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to every home and business in our service area. While some customers have recently noticed unusual tastes or odors, we want to reassure you that your water remains safe; it meets all federal and state drinking water standards and poses no risk to your health.

As noted in our earlier communication, the changes in taste and odor are primarily caused by naturally occurring compounds released by seasonal algal blooms in Lake Michigan. This summer, warmer-than-usual water temperatures contributed to the early growth of these blooms and intensified the presence of those compounds. Although they can affect the water’s taste and smell, they are not harmful to human health. It is safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in. We appreciate your patience as we work to mitigate their effects.

Cooling Centers are available to anyone who needs a safe, public space to cool off during extreme heat in the summer. Be sure to call ahead to confirm their hours.

Cooling Center List

Those most at risk of getting sick from the high temperatures and humidity are older adults, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, people without housing, and those with a chronic medical condition.