In an emblematic display of regional collaboration, the cities of Franklin and Oak Creek have cemented their commitment to shared water resources with a 40-year agreement. This pact ensures that countless households and businesses will continue to have access to Lake Michigan's high-quality drinking water. Mayors John Nelson of Franklin and Daniel Bukiewicz of Oak Creek are set to sign this historic agreement on Friday, marking a decision that will impact generations to come, as mentioned on the official website of the City of Oak Creek.
The agreement, as reported by the City of Oak Creek's official website, will designate Oak Creek Water and Sewer Utility as the primary provider for Franklin Municipal Water Utility, extending a relationship that began with a 30-year contract in 1994. The terms include assurance of an automatic renewal for an additional 40 years, a testament to the enduring mutual reliance. "After years of research and analysis, the priority for the citizens and businesses of Franklin was, and will always be, to provide them with the best quality of water at the most cost-effective price," Mayor Nelson is quoted as saying.
Discussions to renew and significantly extend the length of the previous agreement initiated back in 2016. These dialogues were part of Franklin's broader strategy to examine partnerships with other municipalities. However, the cost implications of developing a new infrastructure independently, or with different partners, proved to be prohibitive. Franklin officials, acknowledging the efficiency and effectiveness of the existing arrangement, leaned into renewing ties with the City of Oak Creek.
The mayors underscored the fulfillment brought by the prior 30 years of partnership, suggesting continuity rather than change was the sensible way forward. "The amount of cost that would have been passed on to the people and businesses of Franklin to develop the infrastructure from another supplier was inconceivable," Mayor Nelson stated, emphasizing the prudent nature of their decision. According to the same City of Oak Creek announcement, Mayor Nelson claimed this decision safeguards the legacy of supplying superior water without the burden of inflated costs to those who depend on it.
As the ink dries on this forward-looking accord, residents and businesses in Franklin and Oak Creek can rest easy, assured of their water's quality and the stability of its provision deep into the 21st century. In an era where environmental resources take center stage in civic planning, this agreement stands as a paragon of regional cooperation built to last.
