Public Works DEPARTMENT
STAFFFING

PUBLIC WORKS
Department FAQs

The City of Muskego Department of Public Works (DPW) maintains the infrastructure, facilities, vehicles, and public spaces residents rely on every day. Over the past decade, the Department’s responsibilities have expanded as the community has grown, while staffing has remained relatively unchanged.

In 2015, the City dissolved its Parks Department and transferred responsibility for maintaining all City parks to DPW. These responsibilities were added to DPW’s existing work, including street and culvert maintenance, snow and leaf removal, stormwater maintenance, culvert installation, the City’s road program, special event setup, and vehicle maintenance for DPW and the Police Department. As operating budgets have tightened, DPW has also brought additional parks maintenance work in-house that was previously contracted, helping reduce outside service costs.

Muskego continues to grow. Since 2015, the City has added approximately 4.25 miles of two-lane roads, creating additional long-term maintenance and snow removal responsibilities.

Since 2020, the community has also experienced significant residential and institutional development, including Will Rose, Presbyterian Homes Stair Crest, Muskego Elementary, Madison Court, Muskego Lakes Estates, Waters of Denoon, Denoon Country Estates North, Field of Dreams, Twin Silos, Mallard Reserve, Glen of Muskego Lakes, and Baseler Court. Additional development is already planned. Kirkland Crossing Phase 1, with 68 lots, and Apple Hills, with nine lots, are anticipated in 2026. Kirkland Crossing Phase 2, with 71 lots, is anticipated in 2027.

DPW’s most recent employee was added in 2021.

Referendum Impact on the Department of Public Works

The Public Safety Referendum includes four additional Public Works and one administrative support position to help meet the needs of a growing community and support the proposed municipal Fire and EMS Department. The additional capacity would support roads, stormwater infrastructure, snowplowing, City facilities, and vehicle and equipment maintenance, including Fire and EMS apparatus. Additional administrative support will help manage the HR, payroll, billing, and other responsibilities associated with expanded public safety staffing.

  • Muskego continues to add roads, subdivisions, parks, stormwater infrastructure and snowplow routes. A municipal Fire/EMS operation would also add responsibility for maintaining fire stations, emergency vehicles and equipment. The proposed positions would expand capacity for road and storm-sewer work, snowplowing, building maintenance and vehicle/equipment service. The proposed new Public Works employees include:

    • One (1) High Patrol employee to provide additional capacity as the City continues to grow.

    • One (1) High Patrol employee to maintain field staffing capacity as an existing employee transitions to a full-time mechanic role supporting Fire/EMS and Police vehicles.

    • One (1) Building Maintenance employee to provide additional capacity for City facilities, including maintenance of the fire stations as they become part of the municipal Fire/EMS operation.

    The increased fire services and added personnel will require one (1) additional administrative staff member to assist with the added HR, billing, payroll and other staffing assistance needs.

  • Tess Corners Volunteer Fire Department currently contracts out much of its repair and maintenance work. Expanded in-house capacity could provide faster turnaround and lower overall cost while supporting Fire/EMS, Police, and Public Works fleets together.

Be informed.

We welcome your questions and comments about the Public Safety Referendum. Use the form to connect with the City, or sign up to receive referendum news, important information, and updates by email.