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Ashwaubenon hears utility updates: water edges into positive, sewer still in deficit; residents report surprise bill increases
Summary
Board discussed enterprise funds: water utility now shows a modest positive net change, sewer utility remains negative (about $700,000), and stormwater will fund additional capital needs. Staff said some pass‑through source supply and stormwater rate changes were implemented earlier this year and may explain delayed resident bill increases.
During the budget review the village’s enterprise funds drew detailed scrutiny. Finance and public‑works staff reported that the water utility, after recent rate structure changes and pass‑through adjustments from Green Bay Water, is now projecting a slight positive net change in position (just under $50,000). By contrast, the sanitary sewer utility continues to underperform and is projected to show a negative change in net position of around $700,000, a level staff said will require attention and likely rate adjustments if trends continue.
Staff explained that some increases residents are now noticing are tied to earlier pass‑throughs: Green Bay Water raised source supply rates and the village passed that cost onto ratepayers in the second quarter; some stormwater rate changes were effective in January. Those timing effects, combined with quarterly billing cycles, mean customers may not see the increases until later statements. "We have noticed that people, for whatever reason, are just noticing that now," a staff member said when trustees raised constituent concerns.
Stormwater remains in a comparatively healthy position with operating revenues just over $1.8 million, but staff cautioned that substantial capital projects planned over the next five years will require continued rate adjustments. As one example discussed in the meeting, the village is considering a purchase of land for a regional Allied pond (staff estimated purchase cost shown in the packet at $2.50M and construction between roughly $600,000 and $750,000).
Trustees were told that some utility rate actions still require formal approvals (for example, some water rate changes must be approved by the Public Service Commission and sewer rate changes will proceed via board resolutions). Staff said they plan to bring formal rate proposals and resolutions to the board at a subsequent meeting.
The utility discussions were part of the broader budget presentation the board voted to forward for final adoption; trustees asked staff to continue clarifying timing and billing effects for residents ahead of the public hearing.
