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Wausau asks DNR to allow broader use of lead-removal grant funds for public outreach and project oversight
Summary
City staff asked the Common Council to back a formal request to the Wisconsin DNR asking that municipal professional services and outreach costs be counted against the total award amount rather than only the construction portion, arguing robust resident outreach is essential for a successful lead service line replacement program.
City staff and the Common Council on Tuesday discussed the city's lead service line replacement program and asked the council to endorse a request to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to treat certain non-construction costs as eligible under the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program award.
Public works staff told the council the DNR's recent letter limited the allowable 25% professional-services cap to the construction portion of an award, rather than the full award amount. The city's program requires extensive outreach, resident coordination and program management before, during and after construction; staff said limiting reimbursable professional services to the construction line item would force the city to cover communications and oversight out of local funds or reduce the number of lines the city can replace.
Public-comment and program partners such as EquiFlow were cited as doing active outreach to eligible residents; Alder McElhaney and others emphasized outreach's practical role in increasing participation and completing more replacements while federal funding levels remain uncertain. The council unanimously passed a resolution asking the DNR to allow professional services and outreach costs to be charged against the full award amount rather than just the construction portion (10-0).
Ending: Council adopted the resolution and asked staff to continue negotiations with DNR to preserve funding for public outreach and program administration so the city can maximize replacement work.
