The Board of Public Works consists of the Mayor, Director of Finance and Purchase, City Attorney, City Engineer, one Council Member and the Director of Public Works. The Board has been given certain authority and duties enumerated in the Municipal Code and Wisconsin State Statutes.

The Board of Public Works also serves as the Water Utility Board, Parking Utility Board, Sewer Utility Board, Sanitary District #1 Board and, with the addition of the City Planner and two citizen members, as the Municipal Transit Utility Board.

In general, it is the duty of the Board of Public Works, under the direction of the City Council, to supervise all Public Works projects and to regulate, control and supervise the Water Utility, Waste Water Utility, Parking Utility, Municipal Transit Utility, Highway Department, Inspection Department, Engineering Department, Grounds and Buildings, Refuse and Recycling, Maintenance Shop and Sanitary District #1.

The office of the Director of Public Works is responsible for the management, supervision and coordination of all Public Works projects, operations and departments under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Works. This office provides direct employee supervision of Refuse and Recycling, Grounds and Buildings and Parking Utility Maintenance, and oversees the supervisors of the other Public Works Departments.

Additional duties of the Office include preparation, bidding and administration of contracts for refuse collection, recycling, HVAC systems maintenance and elevator maintenance. Specifications are prepared and bids taken for purchasing vehicles, heavy equipment, salt, gravel, bituminous hot mix for pavement, ready mix cement, chlorine, fluoride and other major purchases. The superintendents of the Waste Water and Highway Departments report daily on the operations of their departments. Tracking and invoicing of leased parking spaces, budget preparation for all Public Works departments, parade permits and a variety of other tasks related to Public Works are also handled by this office.