The Village of Pleasant Prairie has planned an informational meeting to allow the public to learn about the upcoming public safety referendum on the April 5 ballot.
It will be held Wednesday at the Village Hall Auditorium, 9915 39th Ave., starting at 6p.m.
The referendum on the April 5 ballot will ask Pleasant Prairie voters to decide if they will support increasing the Village’s annual tax levy by $1.6 million to cover the costs for hiring and retaining four additional police officers and 12 additional fire and rescue staff, beginning in 2023.
Village officials said growth, demand and inflation have outpaced Village revenues because of state levy limits. Over the last three years, they researched the Village’s public safety needs and identified that the current safety funding is insufficient to meet the community’s growing service demands.
The Village requires additional public safety personnel in the Fire & Rescue and Police Departments to ensure residents, visitors, and businesses have continued access to high-quality public safety services, officials said. Approval of the referendum by a majority of voters would enable Pleasant Prairie to hire and retain the necessary personnel to maintain quality public safety services in the future.
It will offer a question-and-answer segment and include presentations from Fire Chief Craig Roepke, Chief of Police David Smetana and Village Administrator Nathan Thiel.
The informational session will also be offered online. Residents can participate in the virtual sessions via Zoom online meeting software on a smartphone or computer. Participants should click the meeting link posted on PleasantPrairieWi.gov/Referendum and enter a name and email address when prompted to register for the meetings.
Those who do not have access to a computer or smartphone may attend the meeting in person at the Village Hall.
IN PHOTOS: 2021 Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter held Dec. 11
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Lt. Zach Quever of the Pleasant Prairie Police Department and 8-year-old Ada Hodges pick out dog treats at Meijer during Shop with a Cop/Firefighter. Ada also grabbed a squeak ball for her dog. “Mom is going to hate that, but its okay,” Ada said.
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Officer Dave Kelly helps wrap up gifts during the Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter event at Meijer. Event coordinator Brianna Kraus and Sarai Anguiano said this year has been a success. “A lot of the children here are less fortunate,” Anguiano said. “It’s important that it starts that good relationship.”
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Austin Schals, with the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department, crouches down with Jackson Martin at Meijer. Schals spoke positively about the Shop with a Cop/Firefighter event: “It builds a good relationship with the community,” Schal’s said, “And its good for the kids.”
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Austin Schals, left, with the Pleasant Prairie Fire Department, and Jeremiah Gates, with the Pleasant Prairie Police Department, go over Jackson Martin’s shopping list at Meijer during the Shop with a Cop/Firefighter event.
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Officer Alison Gorman and Paisley Brooks inspect a slime toy at the Shop with a Cop/firefighter event at Meijer. Paisley had a long list of gifts for both herself and her family.
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Six-year-old Vincenzo Wells contemplates the Star Wars themed toys at the event Saturday at Meijer. “I think the Shop with a Cop/Fighter program is excellent,” said Trevor Wells, Vincenzo’s father. “It gives positive reinforcement.”
Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter
Sgt. Chad Brown and 10-year-old Liam Rivard look over football merchandise during the annual Pleasant Prairie Shop with a Cop/Firefighter event at Meijer. “I’ve been doing this since I got hired 16 years ago,” Brown said, “It’s a tremendous opportunity for the kids.”
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