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Residents, DPW staff urge Pleasant Prairie to keep sanitation in house
Summary
More than a hundred residents and multiple public‑works employees spoke during public comment, warning that outsourcing garbage and recycling would cost more, reduce local control, and threaten jobs and snow‑plow capacity.
A steady stream of residents and village public‑works employees filled the boardroom Feb. 19 to oppose a proposal to contract municipal curbside garbage, recycling and bulk pickup to John's Disposal.
Tracy Buie, the first public commenter, told the board that "village residents are overwhelmingly satisfied with our current garbage and recycling service" and criticized the timing and transparency of the agenda item. Multiple other residents cited local satisfaction (4.6 Google rating referenced by a speaker), worries about equipment and overtime, and fears that privatization would result in higher long‑term costs and reduced service quality.
Several DPW employees and supervisors described cross‑department roles that would be affected by layoffs: sanitation staff currently support overnight snow plowing, emergency call‑outs and special events logistics. One staff presenter warned that "the loss of 4 employees would reduce snow plowing capacity and further restrict time off availability" during the November–April season. Central clerical staff and fleet maintenance workers also testified about the visibility and high customer service of current crews.
Speakers emphasized both financial and community arguments: some questioned the use of the Wisconsin Innovation Grant for a municipality with ample capacity, and others urged the board to consider a referendum on such a change. The board closed public comment and later directed staff to provide a full cost and operational comparison before making a decision.
