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Wausau Waterworks Commission approves capital plan, grant submission and staffing, and equipment purchases
Summary
The commission voted to approve the drinking-water and wastewater capital budget for 2026–2030, to submit a US EPA grant application for a solar array at 1010 Bug B Avenue, hire a part-time wastewater lab trainee funded externally, approve a wastewater budget modification and to buy a UTV and electric golf carts.
The Wausau Waterworks Commission on Oct. 7 approved multiple budget and program items and recommended some items to the city council.
Key votes and outcomes (voice votes unless noted):
- Approval of minutes from the Sept. 2 meeting: approved by voice vote.
- Grant submission to U.S. EPA for a solar array at 1010 Bug B Avenue: motion passed. Commissioners approved submitting an application for up to $1,180,000 of EPA funds toward an estimated $2,500,000 project. Staff said tax-credit timelines mean construction would need to start before July 1, 2026, to meet certain credit rules; the EPA grant winner notification is expected by May 2026. The commission’s approval is a recommendation that will go to city council for final funding decisions.
- Capital budget for drinking water and wastewater (2026–2030): approved and will be forwarded to the city council. Staff described projected borrowing that separates normal capital borrowing from lead-service-line borrowing and said final numbers will be updated once project bids are received.
- Part-time wastewater laboratory trainee (training program, externally funded, up to 500 hours): approved. Staff said the position would be a temporary, externally funded training opportunity with students from a UW program, intended to help with lab workload without adding a full-time position.
- 2025 wastewater budget modification (carryover for the Hamilton project): approved. Staff said carryover funds will be used to replace manholes and gravity sewer segments at Hamilton, coordinated with the water department to avoid duplicate excavation.
- Purchase of a UTV and electric golf carts using proceeds from the sale of three fixed assets: approved. Staff said carts and a UTV will improve internal mobility across the stretched plant footprint and reduce manual handling of pumps and hoses during routine and emergency work.
Why it matters: the approvals set the utility’s capital and operational direction for the coming year, enable a grant application with a tight construction timeline, and add temporary staffing and equipment intended to improve operations and project delivery.
Votes at a glance: where votes were taken by voice with no recorded roll-call, commissioners indicated approval. No recorded roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting minutes for these items.
The commission scheduled its next meeting for Nov. 4 at 11:00 a.m.
