Committee recommends adoption of 2024 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report to comply with DNR requirement

The Public Works Committee voted to recommend that the village board adopt the 2024 Compliance Maintenance Annual Report and submit it to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Staff described the CMAR as an annual report required by the DNR that summarizes sewer utility operations and finances, including percentages of mains cleaned, manhole inspections and other performance metrics. The committee was asked to give a positive recommendation so the board could adopt a resolution and forward the report to the DNR.

Committee members asked detailed questions about the report’s finances and specific capital placeholders. Finance-related questions focused on an equipment replacement account with a required minimum balance of $125,000 related to earlier Clean Water Fund loan covenants and the existence of a separate restricted sewer equipment replacement account funded annually.

On capital projects, staff explained that large items such as a possible sewer extension to Richfield are shown as place-holders at estimated costs in the CMAR; the village has an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Richfield that would obligate the village to perform work if development occurs but actual costs and participation remain uncertain. Staff described some large phase placeholders as "estimates at the time of the report." Committee members also asked about infiltration and inflow (I&I) work and recent sewer lining projects; staff said projects in 2023 addressed I&I in private laterals and that additional I&I work is likely in future years.

A motion was made to recommend adoption of the CMAR and forward it to the village board; the committee voted "Aye," with the vote recorded as unanimous.

Staff said the CMAR provides DNR the required annual check on system finances and operations and that failure to meet performance standards would prompt DNR review and follow-up.