WAUKESHA — The Waukesha Finance Committee will review the City Financial Plan during its meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday. City staff worked for several months on a plan to address financial challenges.
“Due to state-imposed levy limits, the city can only increase property taxes (65% of the operating fund revenues) based on net new construction, averaging a 1.14% increase since 2009. This restriction, coupled with rising operational costs, has led to projected expenditures exceeding revenues by over $8 million by 2028,” meeting documents said, To address the forecasted budget shortfall, staff identified initiatives categorized into Cost Recovery, New Revenue, and Service Adjustments.
“These initiatives include optimizing expenses, increasing user fees, and making departmental changes. For instance, some proposed changes involve personnel adjustments and implementing new revenue-generating activities. These measures will have a positive impact on decreasing, and in the case of the next couple years, eliminating the structural budget deficit,” the documents said.
The planning process involved collaboration with department heads to submit viable proposals.
“A working group of the City Administrator, Finance Director, Human Resources Director, Communications and Engagement Manager and the Financial Projects Manager reviewed these proposals. From there, a multi-year approach was developed,” the documents said.
The initiatives are expected to produce cost savings and revenue. City staff is asking for responses from the Finance Committee and Common Council on the items included in the Financial Management Plan. Based on the feedback, the initiatives will be incorporated into the 2025 budget and/or presented for future consideration.
Residential refuse, recycling contract
The Finance Committee will also consider a contract for Residential Refuse and Recycling Collection and Disposal to John’s Disposal.
The city’s current residential refuse and recycling contract is set to expire on March 31, 2025. The city entered a request-for-proposal process to solicit contractors. The finalist was determined to be John’s Disposal.
The proposed contract will begin March 31, 2025, and the initial term will end March 28, 2031. Two successive one year extension options may be executed.
The proposed contract includes city-incurred costs of collections per residential unit, disposal of solid waste tons, and cart maintenance. The service is projected to cost $2,314,904 in the first year and $27,445,072 over the duration of the contract. The ongoing service will be funded through the operating budget.
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