Waukesha council updates municipal bond schedule, raises some minimum forfeitures

The Waukesha Common Council on June 17 approved revisions to the municipal court bond schedule and signaled support for related ordinance amendments that would broaden the range of forfeitures judges may impose.

City Attorney Brian explained that the bond schedule lists the dollar amount people may pay to settle municipal citations and that the municipal judge sets the figures but the council authorizes the ordinance ranges. He said the changes were designed to bring Waukesha in line with neighboring communities and give the judge flexibility. “We end up with that,” he said, describing the current state-law-driven mix of base forfeitures and added surcharges. The council unanimously approved the bond schedule and a targeted change raising the dog-in-public-park base forfeiture from $5 to $10 (for a $73.60 total after fees).

Why it matters: supporters said higher minimums create a stronger deterrent to repeat violations and better reflect other cities’ approaches; opponents warned about the effect on low-income residents. Alderman Van Trieste said raising many penalties “will disproportionately affect those in the lower economic class,” calling for caution. Alderman Hemsleigh and others urged reliance on judicial discretion and noted that judges frequently impose community service or lower amounts where appropriate.

Council members debated specifics — for example, the proposed ordinance would amend sections 11.01 and 25.05 to widen the ranges for first and subsequent offenses — but did not adopt the full ordinance language at third reading tonight (the ordinance remained at second reading). Brian reiterated that the judge retains discretion and that the bond schedule and ordinance should coordinate.

The council voted to approve the bond schedule amendment and related changes presented at the meeting. The ordinance changes will return for additional readings and a formal adoption vote at a later meeting.