Board approves 2026 stormwater ERU increase and recommended water/sewer rate adjustments

The Onalaska Board of Public Works and Utilities approved multiple 2026 utility budgets and rate actions Sept. 2, including a proposed stormwater Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) increase, municipal utility budget submissions and recommended pass-through changes to sanitary and water treatment/transmission charges.

Stormwater budget and ERU: The board reviewed the 2026 stormwater utility budget and accepted staff—s recommendation to establish the ERU at $122.60 for 2026 (approved with the understanding it can be adjusted during final budget adoption). Staff explained the increase reflects modest revenue adjustments, higher insurance costs and the proposed addition of half of a full-time public-works maintenance position (shared half-time between stormwater and streets) plus a one-quarter staff-engineer allocation to the stormwater program to support MS4 permit work.

Sanitary and water budgets and rates: The board approved the 2026 sanitary sewer and water budgets as presented. For 2026 the board approved a 3% increase to the treatment pass-through charge from the City of La Crosse (treatment rate per million gallons) and a 3% increase to transmission charges; staff said the sanitary increase covers higher cross-treatment charges the city pays to the regional treatment plant. The board also approved staff—s plan to submit a simplified water-rate case application to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission in 2025 to keep rates phased rather than requiring a full rate case in the future.

Financial status and next steps: Staff presented mid-year financials through July 31 for stormwater, sanitary sewer and water utilities. The board placed the 2025 financial reports on file and asked staff to include the new positions and proposed rates in the final budget materials for council review in October.