Waukesha utility reports higher consumption, routine project updates and staff change

At the Dec. 19 meeting, utility staff provided routine operations and finance updates, saying consumption and revenues were up for November and describing the status of multiple projects.

Courtney, who delivered the financial report, said consumption was about 11.5% over budget for the month (partly because the billing cycle covered 33 days) and that the October 1 rate increase produced its first full-month effect. Courtney reported source expenses (Milwaukee Water Works) were about $25,000 under budget for the month while pumping costs (We Energies) have been about $34,000; distribution work ran about $23,000 over budget and customer-service expenses were about $10,500 over budget largely because of credit-card fees.

Staff also reviewed project updates: punch-list items remain on the Great Lakes project, a stormwater pond alignment issue at a new reservoir is being addressed, the new utility website launched Dec. 2, inventory work and a preliminary audit were completed in early December, and transmission and distribution work is largely complete with a resurfacing item expected in spring. Staff noted a $1.4 million transfer to the tax roll, roughly $700,000 of which was water-related. Courtney said the utility received a monthly WIFIA submittal payment of $376,516.

Operations staff announced that an employee named Chris will leave in January to accept a city engineer position in Hartford; management said they will reevaluate and realign the position as needed.

No formal actions were taken on these informational items.