Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pewaukee public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
12 issues with high priority
Village of Sussex Emergency Water Interconnect
Sussex wants a backup water connection on Weyer Road as part of its deal to serve a Lisbon subdivision. The city agreed in concept — at no cost to Pewaukee — with metering required.
Sewer Rate Increase for 2027
Buried in the good news about the sewer utility's A-grade compliance report: a rate increase is coming next quarter.
The Courtyard Development
The long-delayed memory care/assisted living development on Golf Road is moving forward, with the developer building the cul-de-sac, water main and sewer extensions, guaranteed by a $675,000 bond.
Swimming pools in the shoreland setback
A citywide rule change would let pools sit as close as 35 feet to the lake's high water mark. Commissioners are split between protecting the open shoreline look and the logic that a home at the setback is worse than a pool fence.
Cedar Gables street layout change
After roughly three years of failed bridge engineering, the developer won approval to split the phases with two cul-de-sacs — but only with the clubhouse moved to Phase 1, the same 92 units, and the right-turn-only exit kept to keep cut-through traffic out of Springdale Estates.
2027 Parks and Recreation budget
Splash pad popularity pushed the 2026 water bill over budget, though other line items are expected to absorb it. The 2027 budget is moving through city and village approvals with no changes requested.
Good Dog Sauna Co. winter residency at Pewaukee Beach Park
Good Dog Sauna Co. wants to run a wood-fired sauna trailer at Pewaukee parks in winter, with $35 pre-booked sessions. The board picked Kep Park over the windier lakefront for the trial and sent its recommendation to the Village Board.
2027 Utility and Public Works Budgets
The committee advanced every 2027 budget — storm water, sewer/water, engineering, highway, and bike/ped — to the council. Residents should note a storm water rate study is coming (the fee hasn't changed since 2010), a sewer rate increase goes to the council October 5, and the sewer/water capital plan roughly doubles in 2028 to about $33 million.
Comprehensive Plan Update Required by Act 173
State law (Act 173) requires Pewaukee to update its comprehensive plan with specific residential densities by January 1, 2028, or developers get near-automatic rezoning approvals. Staff asked for $75,000 to fund the update.
Proposed 2027 City Budget
The proposed 2027 budget raises the tax levy about 1% to $13.12 million, adding roughly $6 on a $250,000 home. Big line-item swings — building services wages, capital equipment, debt service — are mostly reallocation and accounting changes rather than new spending.
2025 City Audit
The city's 2025 audit is nearly done but delayed by ambulance billing data and fixes to last year's capital asset allocations. The report should be issued around September 11 and presented to the Council before budget season.
ARPA interest funding City Hall remodel
The city earned about $209,000 in interest while holding its federal pandemic relief money. That money now goes toward the City Hall remodeling project, which came in higher than expected.