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Muskego council approves 2025 road improvement awards; members press for clarity on reimbursements and budgets
Summary
Council approved bids for the 2025 road improvement program, a library parking-lot contract and water lateral work; members asked how LRIP reimbursements and excavation-below-subgrade risks affect budgets and urged savings be returned to road program.
The Muskego City Common Council approved the award of bids for the 2025 road improvement program on April 22, including publicly bid work for curb-and-gutter roads, a library parking-lot contract and water lateral replacements.
Staff presented the bid worksheets and described the three publicly bid projects: the road program (roughly $750,000 budgeted), a library parking lot (budgeted at $200,000) and water lateral work at Weatherwood Court (budgeted at about $125,000 from the water utility). Council discussion focused on how reimbursement from Wisconsin DOT LRIP (Local Road Improvement Program) funds and unknown excavation-below-subgrade (EBS) conditions could change final costs.
Public works staff explained LRIP reimbursements are paid after the city performs the work and submits invoices; the city must first complete the work and then request reimbursement. Council members noted the packet showed a $70,000 LRIP amount and asked why a high-bid road (Scenic Drive, with low bids shown in the packet at about $312,755 and $317,253) appeared in the materials if the city is not performing that segment this year.
Staff warned that EBS can raise project costs significantly after work begins, citing Woodland Place as an example of a road where unexpected subsoil conditions delayed work. That uncertainty led staff to maintain contingency buffers despite bids coming in under budget overall; staff estimated the three projects together were roughly $300,000 under the total combined budget but said contingencies were needed.
Council members asked that any identified savings—council members referenced a previously noted $50,000 lawnmower savings and the expected LRIP reimbursement—be considered for the road program to accelerate catch-up work. Staff said budgets for the three projects are separate and funds cannot be interchanged between road, library and water utility budgets without formal actions.
The council approved the bid awards unanimously.
