Clinton City council approves sewer, solid waste and other funds; ADM flow expected to double sewer revenues

Clinton City Council on Thursday approved the sewer fund, solid waste fund, marina operations and amenities funds, airport funds, the Engineering Services Fund and a package of smaller special-revenue funds while holding the transit fund for further review.

The most consequential change presented was to the sewer fund: Anita, a city staff member, said the city projects sewer revenues to rise sharply for FY26 if the Advanced Digestion Module (ADM) begins sending flow in October. The presentation shows projected sewer revenues rising from roughly $9.2 million to $18.6 million, driven by a nine‑month ADM estimate that Anita said she calculated using 8,000,000 gallons per day and the rate in the wastewater services agreement. Anita gave the ADM nine‑month revenue estimate as $10,072,562 and said the city is modeling October 1, 2025, through June 30, 2025 for the initial ADM period.

Why it matters: ADM-related revenue would cover large new debt and operating costs tied to the recent RWRF (regional wastewater resource facility) expansion. Anita tied a projected $10.2 million in SRF (State Revolving Fund) loan debt payments to fund 536 and listed $5.3 million in operating expenses for the sewer operations fund (Fund 512) plus $1.5 million in capital projects tied to the long-term control plan. If ADM performs as modeled, Anita said the sewer fund could hold about $1.4 million in cash reserves by year end.

Council members and staff pressed on assumptions, including the 8,000,000‑gallon‑per‑day flow figure and timing. Taylor, a wastewater operations staff member, confirmed the city will bill ADM monthly using flow data provided by Taylor’s group. Anita said she was conservative in budgeting and that FY27 projections would assume 12 months of ADM revenue if ADM remains online.

Operations and costs: Anita told the council operations and maintenance (O&M) costs will rise, with electricity and full‑time staffing the largest upward pressures. She said plant personnel and benefits were budgeted to reflect two additional…