Wausau commissioners spar over $2.8 million solar-array plan as grant, tax-credit timelines loom

The Wausau Waterworks Commission debated whether to press ahead with a proposed $2.8 million solar array project on city-owned property, with staff citing potential EPA grant funding and looming tax-credit deadlines and at least one commissioner urging more analysis before obligating city finances.

Staff director Eric said the city’s planning estimate for the solar array is about $2.8 million and that the city council approved borrowing up to that amount with the expectation that grants and tax credits would reduce the borrowing need. He told the commission that an EPA grant of up to $1,180,000 was referenced in the minutes and that tax-credit deadlines—staff said construction must be substantially started by July 4, 2026—are driving an accelerated schedule.

The project’s tight timeline led staff to propose a sole-source request to the finance committee on Dec. 9 to retain Clark Dietz, the engineering firm that handled planning and concepts, for design work. "They’re familiar with the site, with the project," staff said, arguing that going with one firm that knows the work would save time.

Commissioner Hadley said the commission’s packet did not provide the financial analysis she expected and voiced strong concern about committing to the project while the city faces substantial debt. "This is pie in the sky," Hadley said, criticizing the lack of clear return-on-investment figures and neighborhood support. Hadley said she would not support proceeding without firmer justification and more precise financial data.

Commissioner Forrest urged a procedural fix to the minutes—asking staff to redraft the sentence that conflated the potential grant with the project estimate so that the record reads that the $1,180,000 is a potential grant and the estimate is $2.8 million. After that clarification, the commission approved the minutes as amended.

Staff said the intention is to pursue design work so the project could enter construction in spring if grants and tax credits materialize, but that any full borrowing would be reduced by grant and credit receipts and that any final bidding or borrowing decisions would return to finance and council for approval.

The commission did not vote on the solar project itself at the Dec. 2 meeting; members directed staff to bring clearer budget spreadsheets and clarified language back to the committee and subsequently to council. The matter is scheduled for further consideration at the finance committee on Dec. 9 and at a future council meeting.

The commission meeting lasted under two hours; the next meeting is set for Jan. 6 at 11 a.m.