Active Updated

utilities budget

Planning and funding for water, sewer, electric, and utility services.

What to Watch
Watch whether the no-rate-increase plan holds once the full city budget is finalized and utility cash projections are revisited.
Coming Up

Typically discussed at City Council Work Session. Check back when the next agenda is published.

The Story

City committees backed the 2026 utility budgets with no water or electric rate increases. At the same time, the budget discussion flagged operating losses in several utility areas and a projected drop in water cash after debt payments.

Key Decisions
  1. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Personnel and Finance: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Water Budget.

  2. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Public Utilities: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Water Budget.

  3. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Personnel and Finance: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Wastewater Budget.

  4. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Public Utilities: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Wastewater Budget.

  5. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Personnel and Finance: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Storm Water Utility Budget.

  6. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Public Utilities: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Storm Water Utility Budget.

  7. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Personnel and Finance: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Solid Waste Budget.

  8. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Public Utilities: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Solid Waste Budget.

  9. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Landfill Fund (Personnel and Finance): Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Landfill Budget.

  10. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Landfill Fund (Public Utilities): Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Landfill Budget.

  11. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Personnel and Finance: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Electric Utility Budget.

  12. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Public Utilities: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Electric Utility Budget.

  13. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Personnel and Finance: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Telecommunications Budget.

  14. passed Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint · Nov 6, 2025

    Review and Recommendations: 2026 Utilities Budget

    Public Utilities: Motion to recommend approval of the 2026 Telecommunications Budget.

  15. passed 7-0 City Council Work Session · Sep 29, 2025

    25-188 Resolution to Opt Into the Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program Effective January 1, 2026

    Motion to waive reading and adopt the resolution

    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Mark Bittner Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
Record

  1. City Council approved switching the city into the state public employer group health insurance program starting Jan. 1, 2026.

    City Council Work Session

  2. The vote to switch into the state public employer group health insurance program was unanimous, 7-0.

    City Council Work Session

  3. The Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee recommended approval of the full slate of 2026 utility budgets.

    Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint

  4. Staff proposed no rate changes for water or electric in the 2026 utilities budgets.

    Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint

  5. The budget discussion noted operating losses in storm water, solid waste, electric, and telecommunications, and projected a water cash decline after debt payments.

    Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint

  6. The budgets included staffing and pay changes, including new wastewater positions tied to WDNR requirements and electric wage adjustments.

    Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint

  7. The budgets included maintenance and capital items such as leak detection equipment, a bucket truck delivery, meters, and security cameras.

    Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint

  8. The joint committees' action on the 2026 utilities budget item passed.

    Personnel and Finance Committee and Public Utilities Committee Joint
← All topics