Commission approves 2026–30 capital plan and several wastewater items including Hamilton carryover, training position and vehicles

The Wausau Waterworks Commission on Oct. 7 approved the drinking‑water and wastewater capital budget for 2026–30, a budget modification to carry over funds for 2025 wastewater work, a part‑time wastewater lab technician training placement funded externally for up to 500 hours, and the purchase of a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) and electric golf carts funded by proceeds from asset sales.

Capital plan and borrowing: City staff presented the 2026–30 capital plan for drinking water and wastewater; the plan separates regular capital borrowing from lead‑service‑line borrowing and shows typical annual utility borrowing without lead work. For wastewater, staff noted a planned lift‑station upgrade estimated at about $1.6–1.7 million in 2026 and ongoing projects including headworks screening, Washington Street siphon replacement and manhole rehabilitation. The commission voted to approve the capital plan (motion by Alder Watson; second by Hadley). The motion passed unanimously.

2025 budget modification (Hamilton project): Staff explained a budget modification to carry funds into 2025 for the Hamilton area project. Ben, utility staff, said the carryover will fund replacement of three manholes and associated gravity sewer work timed to coincide with water‑main work to avoid duplicate excavation. Commissioners approved the budget modification (motion by Alder Watson; second by Hadley).

Training placement: The commission approved a part‑time wastewater lab technician placement that would provide up to 500 hours of externally funded training support through a workforce development program tied to university coursework. "This is a training opportunity for students, but also gives us the ability to offset some of the costs on our end and yet get some assistance in the lab," Eric, director of utilities, said. The motion to approve the training placement was moved by Mr. Forrest and seconded by Galhar; the commission voted in favor.

Equipment purchase: The commission approved purchasing a UTV and electric golf carts for plant staff, funded from proceeds of selling three general fixed assets at Integrity Auction. Staff said the vehicles will reduce manual handling of pumps and hoses across a large, spread‑out plant, improve safety and speed responses during emergencies. The motion to approve the purchase passed unanimously.

Sewer rehabilitation approach: Staff described slip‑lining and trenchless rehabilitation as the preference where feasible (the meeting cited a line‑lining estimate carried over from bids and a $525,000 placeholder for slip lining work), but said some sewers are not suitable for lining because of deformation or other conditions and would require open cut replacement scheduled with the five‑year street reconstruction plan.

Ending: Staff said they will return with more detailed project‑level bids and any necessary capital budget revisions once bids are received in early 2026.