Commission staff told the Wausau Waterworks Commission on Dec. 2 that the solar‑array project serving the city water plant has an estimated total cost of about $2.8 million and that the city council previously authorized borrowing up to that amount, with any grants or tax credits used to reduce the borrowing requirement.

The project’s schedule is driven in part by federal tax‑credit rules: staff said the city would need “significant construction started by 07/04/2026” to preserve 30%–50% tax credits, creating a compressed timeline for design and bidding.

To meet that timetable, staff said they will request a sole‑source contract for design services from Clark Dietz at the finance committee meeting on Dec. 9, arguing the firm already has planning and concept work under its belt and is familiar with the site. Staff presented the sole‑source approach as a way to avoid delay in starting design and, by extension, preserve eligibility for tax incentives.

Not all commissioners were persuaded. Commissioner Hadley (first referenced as Hadley) said he could not support the project in its current form and raised questions about the return on investment, panel lifespan and the city’s current debt load. "This is pie in the sky," Hadley said, urging that objections be recorded in the minutes. Hadley also noted neighborhood opposition and questioned whether the land would be better used for housing and tax base expansion.

Commissioner Forrest (first referenced as Forrest) replied that the solar effort has a multi‑year history, that the site and neighborhood concerns have been addressed through planning, and that long‑term operational savings could help defray plant costs. Forrest said he remains supportive of pursuing an alternative‑energy project in Wausau.

Staff emphasized that the city Council approved borrowing for planning and design, and that the intent is to return to finance and council for any larger commitments once grants, tax credits or other offsets are certain. The commission asked staff to clarify ambiguous wording in the minutes (noting the $1,180,000 figure as a potential grant) before final approval of the minutes.

Next steps: staff will present the sole‑source request to the finance committee on Dec. 9; design decisions (panel height, berms, fencing and final siting east of the plant) will be resolved in the design phase and returned to the commission and council for further approvals.