Muskego officials weigh borrowing, tax impacts to address deteriorating roads

MUSKEGO, Wis. — City staff and aldermen spent the Committee of the Whole meeting July 22 laying out the scale of Muskego’s road‑maintenance backlog and discussing financing options that could include borrowing and a possible referendum.

City public‑works staff presented a PASER‑based condition analysis and budgeting scenarios showing an increase in low‑rated roads and a shrinking ability to keep up under the current funding plan. Officials said the city’s regular operating allocation for roads is $750,000 and that, even with an occasional one‑time capital boost of $1 million every three years, the program falls short of what’s needed to prevent more pavement from slipping into poor condition.

The presentation matters because staff reported that, by the PASER system, roughly 65 miles of city streets currently rate between 1 and 4 (poor to failed)—a portion that is growing—and 87 miles rate between 5 and 10. “We are losing that battle where you are just seeing more and more going to ones to fours,” said Scott, a public works staff member, describing the shift toward failure ratings. The presenters…