Green Bay committee adopts 2026 stormwater rate, approves slate of Public Works contracts

GREEN BAY — The Improvement and Services Committee voted Dec. 10 to adopt the city’s proposed 2026 stormwater utility rate and to approve a package of Public Works contracts and equipment purchases.

Department of Public Works staff explained the stormwater rate is calculated by dividing the stormwater budget by the number of equivalent residential units (ERUs). "We take the total budget for the stormwater utility, and we divide it by the number of ERUs that there are in the city," a department director (identified in the transcript as Director Trusted) said, announcing the 2026 monthly rate will be $13.20 per ERU. Staff said one ERU equals 3,000 square feet of impervious surface and noted the 2025 rate was $12.49.

A committee member raised a procedural concern that approving rates after the budget felt "backwards," saying the committee appeared constrained to accept rates that align with an already approved budget. Director Trusted replied the rates are derived from the approved budget and confirmed staff can provide rate calculations alongside future budgets.

Beyond rates, the committee approved multiple purchases and contracts recommended by Public Works, to be transmitted to the full City Council for final action where required. Key approvals…