Critical Need
Informational Meetings
Additional Information
Public Safety Referendum
The Village of Pleasant Prairie has identified a need to add additional public safety personnel to the Police and Fire & Rescue Departments.
Critical Need for Public Safety Resources
The continued growth in population and development in Pleasant Prairie has caused an increase in the demand for public safety services.
Pleasant Prairie Fire and Rescue calls are up 70% since 2010 and Pleasant Prairie Police Department has a low staffing-to-service area ratio, responsible for protecting 33-square-miles with some shifts only have three officers on duty. Growth, demand, and inflation have outpaced Village revenues because of state levy limits, and it is becoming difficult to sustain the level of service the Pleasant Prairie community has come to expect.
The Village must act to preserve this level of police, fire and emergency medical services. The Village has identified a need for additional police officers and fire/emergency medical staff to fulfill both department’s response and preventative responsibilities.
As a result of these needs, voters will be asked on April 5, 2022, whether or not to support an increase in the Village’s annual tax levy, beginning in 2023, to cover the cost for four additional police officers and 12 additional fire emergency medical staff.
Virtual Public Information Meetings
The Village is hosting two virtual public information meetings to provide participants an opportunity to learn more about the need for a public safety referendum and to ask questions. No Zoom account is necessary to join the virtual meeting. Residents can register in advance or click the link at the time of the meeting to enter a name and email address to join the meeting.
Wednesday, February 23, at 6:00 p.m.
Held via Zoom. View recorded presentation
here.
Wednesday, March 16, at 6:00 p.m.
Held via Zoom. View recorded presentation
here.
View presentation slide show
here.
Public Safety Referendum Resources
Resources that provide additional details about the critical need for additional police officers and additional fire emergency medical staff are available here:
Pleasant Prairie Police Appreciation Association Support Announcement
Public Safety Referendum Flyer
Community Survey Results
Pleasant Prairie Options Assessment
Public Safety Staffing Needs Presentation
Referendum Resolution No. 22-02
Press Releases
Public Safety Funding Resolution
Public Safety Funding Survey Results
Survey Deadline Approaching
Village Seeks Community Input
Public Safety Options Assessment
Vote April 5
The referendum will ask voters to decide if they support increasing the Village’s annual tax levy to maintain current public safety services by covering the costs for hiring and retaining four additional police officers and 12 fire rescue staff, beginning in 2023. The referendum will appear on the Spring Election, April 5, 2022, ballot. If a majority of voters approve the referendum, taxpayers would see an estimated tax increase of $42 per year ($3.50 per month) for every $100,000 of value starting in 2023 and beyond.
The formal resolution requesting permission to exceed the state revenue limit will appear as follows on the ballot:
“Under state law, the increase in the levy of the Village of Pleasant Prairie for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2023, is limited to 2.57%, which results in a levy of $14,619,727. Shall the Village of Pleasant Prairie be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2023, for the purpose of hiring and retaining additional sworn police officers and fire and rescue personnel, by a total of 10.94%, which results in a levy of $16,219,727, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $1,600,000 for each fiscal year going forward?”
See election information
here.
Critical Need
FAQ
Voting Information