Finance Committee to Begin Reviewing City Services

Joint dispatch, charging for library cards, selling parking structures and shifting cost for crossing guards to the school district are some of the cost-saving options that could be considered by Waukesha aldermen this year. 

Those and other possible ways to save money are highlighted in a memo . In a first look at these options, the Finance Committee is touring the Waukesha County Communications Center on Tuesday. The meeting is being held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 1621 Woodburn Road.

The city’s police department has a dispatch center where it handles calls for police and fire services. The Finance Committee is considering whether it wants to switch those operations to the county or if it should continue the separate operation as it looks at the city’s financial planning.

Joint dispatch is not the only consideration on the list. highlights possible ways the city could save money. Those options include but are not limited to:

• Video streaming and paperless packets for Common Council members
• Selling headstones and vaults at the cemetery
• Hiring a budget analyst or a grant writer
• Shift costs for crossing guards to the school district
• Charge a nominal annual fee for library cards
• Charge fees when a fire truck is sent on a call
• Subsidize the fire department with volunteers when staff leaves
• Sell parking structures
• Review open space plan
• Review level of city services such as snow plowing and leaf pick-up

“I realize that some of these items may be controversial,” the memo states. “These ideas are a composite of what was presented to us in one fashion or another, whether an employee, a concerned citizen, budget discussions, newspaper article, etc. Although an item is on the list, that does not necessarily mean we support any particular item. The list is for discussion purposes only. It is ultimately up to the council to add to this list, cross items off the list and pursue those items they see merit in.

“One thing we do need to keep in mind, though, is that pursuing any one or combination of the above may require additional money, staff, time or a combination in the short term. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a high level of service as efficiently and as cost effectively as possible.”