The City of Sturgeon Bay is throwing its support behind an effort to reinstate funding to the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund through a stand-alone bill. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council could make the support official by approving a resolution during its meeting on Tuesday. The program was created 35 years ago to help fund the purchase and maintenance of public lands. After dodging the chopping block for several budget cycles, Governor Tony Evers’ proposal of $100 million over the next 10 years was not included in the 2025-2027 budget signed in July. Members of the state Legislature have voiced their concern for the program because of the lack of oversight, which puts a heavier burden on northern Wisconsin districts. Since 1994, the city says they have received more than $960,000 from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship, assisting it with developing trails, navigation aids, boat access, beaches, parks, and more. A stand-alone bill introduced by Republican Rep. Tony Kurtz (R-Wonewoc) and Sen. Patrick Testin (R-Stevens Point) would re-authorize the program for six years at $28 million per year and require full Legislature approval if the cost of a property is more than $1 million. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will also weigh in on a potential plan for a future Miller Art Museum building, the annexation of land in the Town of Nasewaupee, and the final plat for a new development along Grant Avenue. The meeting is set to take place on Tuesday at 6 p.m. inside Sturgeon Bay City Hall.