Milwaukee and Waukesha officials met Monday but didn't resolve key questions around a possible sale of Milwaukee water to Waukesha.
Newly elected Waukesha Mayor Jeff Scrima had raised concerns about the sale during his campaign, prompting Milwaukee aldermen to question whether he was backing away from the deal his predecessor, former Mayor Larry Nelson, had sought to arrange. Monday's meeting between Scrima and Milwaukee Common Council leaders at Milwaukee City Hall was focused on getting acquainted and understanding each other's positions, rather than on negotiating a deal, said Scrima and Milwaukee council President Willie Hines Jr.
The officials discussed a proposed Milwaukee water rate increase, as well as the city's interest in an additional payment for water and a provision that the two communities refrain from wooing businesses from each other, but did not deal with Milwaukee's position that water customers must improve public transit and affordable housing, Milwaukee Ald. Bob Bauman said.
Scrima's water stand has set him at odds with his own city's council. The Milwaukee council leaders previously met with their Waukesha counterparts for a similar get-acquainted session.