Franklin — An agreement to expand Waste Management of Wisconsin's landfill in Franklin paves the way for millions of dollars in landfill fees to flow into the city.
The potential worth of the contract, approved unanimously by the Common Council last week, is anywhere between $10 million to $180 million, depending on future expansions.
However, $10 million in landfill fees are expected to be generated over the next three to five years, according to a Journal Sentinel report.
Seventy-five percent of the revenue goes to Franklin, while the remaining 25 percent is split among six other communities represented on the Waste Facility Siting Committee.
Those communities are all served by the Metro Recycling and Disposal Facility, 10712 S. 124th St.
What to do with revenue?
What the money should be used for in Franklin is still up for discussion.
Though the Common Council has not held any formal discussions, Mayor Tom Taylor said the money could be used for any number of city projects, including recreational facilities, police department equipment, roads or public works projects.
"By using the landfill dollars for those types of projects, that would mean we would not have to go out and borrow or raise the property tax levy," Taylor said.
Many in the city have long craved more amenities, such as a community center, a performing arts center or any number of recreational facilities, to make Franklin more of a destination spot.
The money from the landfill agreement could give them a new opportunity to do so.
Complex thoughts
Taylor has mentioned the possibility of a Central Park and regional sports complex built using landfill fees, and a community group called Citizens for Community Development began working earlier this year on a private-public venture that would build a community sports complex with park features.
The group launched an online petition that had more than 230 signatures at the end of last week, said Greg Kowalski, vice president of the organization.
Kowalski said the group will move forward regardless of whether the city commits any funds to support the concept.
The Metro landfill serves about 1.7 million residents in 50 communities throughout southeastern Wisconsin, according to a Journal Sentinel report.
As part of the deal, 283 acres east and south of the landfill are put into conservancy.
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