MILWAUKEE — A group of Milwaukee Common Council members wants the city to consider refunding property owners the service fee they pay if snow and ice removal is "inadequate."
The push to explore the feasibility of such a move came after multiple council members said constituents complained about street conditions and safety after the last snow event, which began December 19.
"How can I justify that the city charges that resident a fee for snow and ice control when a nearby municipality has excellent service to the residents and almost nothing coming from the city in Milwaukee," 11th District Alderman Peter Burgelis posed to public works leaders, the comptroller and budget director.
Burgelis is among the members who want to explore the idea of a refund.
The average property owner pays close to $50 for this fee. Public works leaders said it covers a variety of services across the city.
Watch: Milwaukee residents may get snowplow fee refunds after December snowfall issues
"The DPW budget is balanced with an anticipated $11.3 million of revenue from the snow and ice fee. The administration is not prepared to recommend a refund of that fee because you immediately create a mid-year or early-year budget hole," said Nik Kovac, budget and management director.
TMJ4 News talked with multiple property owners.
Off-camera some said that they do not have major complaints about snow operations. However, others say they see issues in their neighborhood too often.
"I think it should be billed once they've proven that that winter that they have taken care of the snow," resident Joann Henricks told TMJ4.
Henricks lives on the southwest side of Milwaukee.
She says last month it seemed as though crews did not address her street at all.
"It just seems like it's too consistently not done you know? It's not a fluke when it's not been plowed it's just not," Henricks stated.
DPW insists they did not completely miss any roads, adding that conditions and timing are all factors in snow operations and what residents experience.
The snow and ice fee item was put on hold. Local leaders say the conversations are ongoing.
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