Four Pleasant Prairie Utilities and the Recreation Division are operated as "enterprise funds." They are called enterprise funds, because they are operated like a business. These areas receive income from: fees charged for services provided, loans, grants, the resale of capital equipment and donations. This income is then used to cover operating expenses, large capital purchases or improvements, and to pay down debt for the particular enterprise or area.
Pleasant Prairie uses the enterprise fund structure for these areas to more fairly distribute the costs associated with the ventures to all who benefit from or have an impact on the enterprise. For example, different types of properties in the Village have different sources of water; some properties have a well and some use Lake Michigan water from the City of Kenosha. By having the Water Utility operated as an enterprise fund, the Village is able to charge for water based on the level of service provided. If it were included on your property tax bill, smaller residential users could be paying the same as larger users, and some properties (like churches and the power plant) wouldn't pay for the service they receive at all.
RECPLEX - WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2009
During 2009, the Recreation Enterprise is expected to see a net gain at the end of the year. This is due mainly to the performance of child care programs at the facility and the expansion of rental opportunities. During 2009, RecPlex will undertake two facility expansions. A building, just south of RecPlex, which was formerly occupied by a coffee shop tenant, will be renovated to accommodate the addition of a new infant care program. In addition, the Village and Uline, Inc. have come to an agreement for the company to provide $8 million towards the construction of a 50-meter long, 2-meter deep, Olympic-sized pool during 2009 at RecPlex. No taxpayer dollars will be used for the construction or operation of the pool.
UTILITIES & SOLID WASTE - WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2009
In response to rate increases from service providers and other economic factors, the charges on Pleasant Prairie utility bills are expected to increase during 2009. Rate increases are planned for the Sewer, Water, Clean Water, and Solid Waste Utilities. Pleasant Prairie bills utility and solid waste customers for each of these charges on a single, monthly utility bill.
The sewer and water rate increases correspond to an increase in rates charged to the Village by the Kenosha Water Utility. A Clean Water Utility rate increase will be used to help the Village to comply with federal mandates related to the reduction of pollutants in storm water runoff. The garbage and recycling increase corresponds to an increase in tipping fees per ton of garbage in 2009, in addition to expansion of the compost program.
For an average Village utility customer, your monthly bill will increase approximately $2.50, or roughly $30 for the year. The increase will allow the Village to maintain a high level of service in each of these areas without compromising future budgets. In certain areas, it will also help build reserve funds for future replacement costs. A breakdown of the increase for an average utility customer is available in the PDF below.
Enterprise Funds 08.pdf