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Council split over pace and public engagement ahead of Muskego safety referendum
Summary
Council members split on whether to delay placing the referendum on the ballot to allow public informational meetings. Proponents said voters should decide; opponents said the process is rushed and asked for transparency and committee vetting.
An extended debate at the Aug. 4 Muskego Common Council meeting centered on whether the city should hold public informational meetings before putting a levy-exceeding public-safety question on the ballot.
Alderman Schrader said residents "deserve the same opportunity to understand the proposal, ask questions, and have their voices considered before any action is taken," and asked that written comments be included in the permanent record. Alderman Wolf and others argued the council was moving too quickly and proposed delaying the vote so taxpayers could be better informed about study dates, consultant fees and program details. Wolf formalized that position with a motion to delay, saying, "My motion is to delay this vote and get the taxpayers informed." The motion failed in a roll-call vote.
Supporters of placing the question on the ballot said referral lets voters decide and that public outreach can and will follow. Alderman Brace said the council's action would "put the question on the ballot so these voting people of Muskego can decide if they want it or not," and described subsequent public forums and communications as the appropriate next steps. The council directed staff to run information sessions and to post materials on the city website between now and the November election.
