July 20, 2024 12:15a
(WGTD)---The dispute between Racine and Mt. Pleasant over water and sewer service is escalating. WGTD first reported last month that the city was dragging its feet in approving Mt. Pleasant water and sewer connections that in the past were considered routine.
At issue is a 2018 revision to the service agreement between the city and village which was prompted by Foxconn. The city now says that deal needs to be revisited because most of the Foxconn jobs didn’t materialize.
What’s worse, the city argues, is that a Foxconn-inspired state incentives package that gave Mt. Pleasant and its businesses millions of dollars in tax and regulatory breaks puts the city at a disadvantage in attracting businesses and industries.
Village President Dave DeGroot made a rare appearance at a city council meeting last month to complain publicly about the city’s refusal to approve the hookups, including those for the Microsoft data center development. Back then DeGroot called the things the city wanted to discuss “junk.”
He also threatened to file a complaint with the state Public Service Commission. The village followed through this past week with the filing of a format complaint, according to a report in the Milwaukee Business Journal.
But that’s not all. A developer whose housing project is being held up by the lack of water and sewer service filed two lawsuits—one in federal court and the other in state court.
A hearing in the circuit court case is scheduled for this coming Wednesday.
There’s a flurry of scheduled closed-door meetings as well. The Mt. Pleasant Village Board and the executive committees of both the Racine City Council and the Racine County Board are all expected to meet separately.
The meetings may include discussion of an administrative process that reportedly is underway to resolve the dispute. Under certain circumstances, the water agreement calls for mediation and binding arbitration.
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