Council approves bonds, fees and grants including water revenue bond and promissory notes
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Summary
On Nov. 11 Wausau’s council approved the 2026 fee schedule, authorized promissory notes up to $311.8M, and approved a water system revenue bond (approx. $4.6M) tied to lead‑line and water projects; the council also accepted a Peak Patrol grant for the police department.
The Wausau Common Council approved a package of financial and fee items on Nov. 11, including the city’s 2026 comprehensive fee schedule, authorization to issue taxable general obligation promissory notes, and a water system revenue bond tied to water capital needs.
Council voted 11–0 to adopt the 2026 comprehensive fees and license schedule (pursuant to Wausau municipal code §3.40.01(a)). On debt, the council authorized up to $311,838,000 in taxable general obligation promissory notes (series 2025 second issue) and approved the sale of up to $4,596,236 in water system revenue bonds (series 2025) along with related financial assistance agreements.
During discussion of the water bonds, Alder Tierney asked whether proceeds from a PFAS lawsuit settlement (reported around $2.8M) would be applied to water projects. Staff explained the DNR loan/grant structure: certain grants or principal forgiveness are available only when the city takes the associated low‑rate loan (approximately 2.25%), so the loan is used to access grant funds for lead service line replacement and related projects.
The council also unanimously accepted the 2026 Peak Patrol grant for the Wausau Police Department and approved a budget modification to contract GEI Consultants for environmental services at 1300 Cleveland Ave. (separate item). Several finance committee actions and bond authorizations carried with recorded roll‑call votes.
Votes of note: comprehensive fee schedule (11–0); promissory notes authorization (10–1); water revenue bond and related assistance (9–2); Peak Patrol grant acceptance (11–0).
