Should Mount Pleasant Take Garbage Off the Levy?

is like the majority of most Wisconsin communities trying to balance its budget. With a combination of creativity, possible revenue streams, and painful cuts, village trustees need to plug a $700,000 hole left by lost state aid and negative return on investments.

The City of Waukesha faces a $3.6 million cut in state aid so Mayor Jeff Scrima is proposing that to take that service off the tax levy. Rates would average $136 a year for property owners that use the service and generate an estimated $2.7 million.

Wisconsin villages like Menomonee Falls also have a garbage fee separate from the tax levy. Caledonia has a separate fee, but residents can opt out if they can prove they have contracted with an independent service.

Mount Pleasant could potentially generate more than enough the make up their budget deficit and more. If property owners pay what's proposed in Waukesha, that could bring in over $1 million a year: $136 x 8,000 property owners = $1,088,000.