Muskego delays fire-station roof and wall spending for further study

Muskego City’s Committee of the Whole on Oct. 14 moved to keep proposed roof and wall repair work for two fire stations out of the adopted 2026 capital budget and directed staff to produce detailed plans, cost estimates and a public-bid strategy before the council considers expenditure approval.

The recommendation followed a staff presentation that identified two fire stations — one on Janesville Road and another at Test Corners — as the sites in question. Public Works staff member Scott told the committee the roofs are likely beyond 30 years old and that the work will require public bidding because the expected cost will exceed $50,000.

Why it matters: Staff said the roofs are old enough that replacement is likely necessary, and the unresolved relationship between roof repair and an apparent failing wall at one station means the city could spend more than necessary without design work. The council chose to delay allocating construction dollars until staff can firm up scope, specifications, bid documents and a multi-year facilities plan.

Staff summary and next steps

Scott (Public works staff) said the two sites are the fire station on Janesville Road and a second station at Test Corners and that staff is “looking into different architects to see what is the best roof replacement.” He told the committee the city will need specifications and public bids because the work is likely to exceed the $50,000 public‑bid threshold. Scott recommended preparing plans and obtaining more thorough cost estimates before returning to council with a memo and formal request.

Scott added that replacing the roof may alleviate some of the wall problems at the Test Corners station: “we’re hoping, let’s say, we fix the roof at test corners, that might alleviate a lot of the issues with the wall.” He also said the wall requires more complex options and “major discussion with contractors and architects.”

Council reaction and budget placement

Alderman (last name) raised the question because the items appeared in the capital plan; staff confirmed the roof items had been listed as capital requests but had been pulled pending further investigation. Mayor (name not specified) and other council members accepted the staff recommendation to keep the items removed for now and return with a plan that shows how the work should be sequenced over a five‑year station maintenance schedule.

Actions and formal outcome

No appropriation or contract was approved at the Oct. 14 meeting. The committee recorded staff direction: keep the fire‑station roof and wall items pulled from the 2026 capital budget, develop specifications and probable bidding schedules, and return for council review with a memo and cost estimates. Staff said they will prepare required documents and a recommended schedule for consideration at a future meeting.

Ending

Staff emphasized the need to develop a consistent, multiyear capital plan for all fire stations so future requests do not come as surprises. The council’s action preserves flexibility while requiring staff to deliver a more detailed recommendation before funds are committed.