City of Waukesha Public Works staff told the Board of Public Works on Oct. 9 that Waukesha County, as the designated responsible unit, is asking the city to sign an updated intergovernmental agreement (IGA) for recycling processing, but the city is not prepared to sign the county's draft without additional financial safeguards.

“As you know, Waukesha County is responsible for processing the city's recycling because they're our RU responsible unit according to the state statute,” the Public Works staff member said, describing the legal framework the county relies on.

Staff said the proposed IGA lays out where the city must deliver recyclables and the framework for dividends or tipping fees, but that the county's draft does not include certain financial protections the city seeks. “So right now they've are asking us to sign a new agreement. We're not completely in agreement with their agreement. So we're working on a number of items. Majority of it is, we wanna add some financial safeguards to it. And as of right now, they're not willing to add that in there,” the staff member said.

The staff member said if the city and county reach an agreement on those points, the matter will be brought to the board and the Common Council for formal approval; for now the city has not signed the county's draft.

What happened: Staff provided an informational update on an ongoing IGA negotiation with Waukesha County and made clear the city will not sign the county's current draft without added financial safeguards. What it means: final arrangements for recycling processing, fees, and any dividend or tipping-fee liabilities remain subject to intergovernmental negotiation and future board and council action.

Looking ahead: Staff said the item will return to the board and council if negotiations yield a mutually acceptable IGA.