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Utility reports year-end consumption above budget, cash balance and project updates
Summary
The Waukesha City Water Utility reported end-of-year consumption 2.1% over budget, higher-than-expected December consumption and a year-end cash balance; staff also summarized completed and remaining 2024 transmission and distribution projects.
Utility finance staff told the Waukesha City Water Utility Commission on Jan. 16 that water consumption for the year finished about 2.1% over budget, with December usage about 15% above budget. The utility began the month with a cash balance of approximately $47.5 million and ended the year around $45.6 million, staff reported.
Why it matters: Consumption and revenue trends influence budget assumptions, conservation clauses and future rate or budget planning. Higher irrigation, industrial or commercial use can change revenue timing and operating projections.
Courtney reported that irrigation usage was notably higher year over year (reported in the meeting as a roughly 200%–260% increase in that category), and commercial consumption was up about 7.4% for the year in part due to new accounts such as two new car washes. Staff noted the possibility that some categories are recovering from COVID-era lows.
Courtney also presented a brief cash slide: interest income figures were discussed (an interest figure cited as 193.8 in the slide). Staff said interest rates were coming down slightly but remained favorable. Transmission and distribution project work for 2024 is complete except for resurfacing work on Garfield/Hein/Magnolia, which is scheduled to finish in spring; most invoices for other projects have been received and will be closed out financially.
Ending: Staff said year-end invoices remain under review and financial numbers will be finalized when all year-end invoices are received.
