Resolved

municipal borrowing

City borrowing for big projects and utility upgrades.

Illustration for municipal borrowing
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Watch for the follow-up votes that lock in the final project list, street-by-street schedule, and the actual borrowing terms that drive utility bills.

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

The latest move was an 8-0 vote to keep the city eligible for up to $11.5 million in state loan financing for 2027 sewer rehab and service-connection replacements. It’s an “intent” step, not a final green light on construction, but it tees up big street disruption and future utility-bill decisions.

  1. passed 8-0 City Council Work Session · Jun 29, 2026

    Resolution Declaring Intent to Reimburse Expenditures from Proceeds of Borrowing for 2027 Sewer Rehabilitation and Water-Sewer Lateral Replacement Projects

    Motion to approve the Resolution Declaring Intent to Reimburse Expenditures from Proceeds of Borrowing for 2027 Sewer Rehabilitation and Water-Sewer Lateral Replacement Projects

    Bill LeClair Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Katherine Dahlke Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Mark Bittner Yes
  2. passed 9-0 City Council · Apr 6, 2026

    26-052 Resolution Authorizing Borrowing $496,676 from WPPI Energy at 0% Interest for Critical Utility Infrastructure Projects

    Motion to waive reading and approve the resolution (26-052) authorizing borrowing $496,676 from WPPI Energy at 0% interest for critical utility infrastructure projects

    Bill LeClair Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Mark Bittner Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
  3. passed 8-1 City Council · Feb 16, 2026

    26-026 Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Establishing Parameters For the Sale of Not to Exceed $2,565,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes

    Motion to waive reading and adopt the resolution

    Mark Bittner Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Tim Petri Yes
    Bonnie Shimulunas Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Adam Wachowski No
  4. passed Personnel and Finance Committee · Feb 10, 2026

    Consideration of Recommendation to City Council Regarding Parameters Resolution for

    Motion to recommend the proposed borrowing plan as presented to City Council.

  5. passed 6-3 City Council · Jan 19, 2026

    26-015 Resolution Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Expenditures from Proceeds of Borrowing 2026 Capital Projects

    Motion made by B. LeClair, seconded by Bittner to waive reading and adopt the resolution.

    Mark Bittner Yes
    Doug Brandt Yes
    Shannon Derby Yes
    Bill LeClair Yes
    Darla LeClair Yes
    Scott Stechmesser Yes
    Tim Petri No
    Bonnie Shimulunas No
    Adam Wachowski No
  1. Agenda included a discussion with Robert W. Baird and Company regarding borrowing.

    City Council
  2. Agenda included an item to consider a recommendation to City Council regarding a borrowing “limits” resolution (agenda title truncated).

    City Council
  3. Council passed Resolution 26-015 declaring intent to reimburse eligible 2026 capital project and equipment costs with future borrowing, not to exceed $2,563,818.

    City Council
  4. The intent-to-reimburse resolution specified $350,000 to be repaid by the Electric Utility rather than the city’s debt payment fund.

    City Council
  5. Council adopted Resolution 26-015 on a 6-3 vote.

    City Council
  6. Council approved a borrowing “limits” resolution authorizing up to $2,565,000 for 2026 capital projects, with $2,215,000 supported by the property tax levy and $350,000 supported by the Electric Utility.

    City Council
  7. Council passed the up-to-$2,565,000 borrowing authorization on an 8-1 vote.

    City Council
  8. The borrowing plan included $255,000 listed for the Neshotah Beach concessions project.

    City Council
  9. A resident said borrowing can create pressure to spend later, and raised concern that council had not yet seen final quotes or requested public survey results related to the Neshotah Beach concessions project.

    City Council
  10. Council agenda included Resolution 26-052 proposing borrowing $496,676 from WPPI Energy at 0% interest for utility projects including electric meters, water plant security upgrades, and generator repairs at the Water Filtration Plant.

    City Council
  11. A Hamilton Property visioning meeting included an item titled “Overview of public funding options” tied to redevelopment and related improvements.

    Hamilton Property Community Visioning Process Phase 4
  12. Council unanimously approved an intent resolution allowing the city to pay early eligible costs and later reimburse itself using state Clean Water/Safe Drinking Water financing for 2027 sewer rehab and water-sewer lateral replacement work, with anticipated borrowing not to exceed $11.5 million.

    City Council Work Session
  13. The 2027 plan described included approximately 11,600 feet of sanitary sewer mains (described as 90–100 years old) and 500 individual service connections.

    City Council Work Session
  14. Staff said the Wisconsin DNR required the intent documentation before June 30, 2026, and emphasized the vote did not approve construction or lock in the full borrowing amount.

    City Council Work Session
  15. Council passed the 2027 intent-to-reimburse resolution 8-0.

    City Council Work Session