Port Washington Board of Public Works approves 2026 charter, budget carryovers and multiple project contracts
Loading...
Summary
On Jan. 13 the Board approved its 2026 charter, carried over unfinished 2025 projects into the 2026 budget, contracted a wastewater facilities plan, and approved construction change orders for utility and plant projects, including a substantial water-treatment-plant change order.
PORT WASHINGTON — The City of Port Washington Board of Public Works on Jan. 13 approved a package of administrative and infrastructure items that will shape public-works work for 2026, voting to adopt a new board charter, carry forward unspent project funds and approve several consultant and construction contracts.
Rob, a city public-works official, opened the meeting with the board’s fourth-quarter report for 2025 and said, “this is our fourth quarter report for 2025,” noting that most items were complete or on schedule but several multiyear projects remain in progress, including water-meter replacement and plant upgrades.
Why it matters: The votes commit carryover dollars and contracts that move multiple capital projects into active design or construction. Several items are funded through targeted sources such as Marina reserves, TIF districts and a federal grant for library work, so the decisions affect how the city uses restricted funds and how quickly projects proceed.
What the board approved: The board unanimously adopted the 2026 Board of Public Works charter after a motion by Mr. Pauli and a second by Alderman Tierney. The board then approved proposed budget amendments to carry unfinished 2025 projects into 2026 — including a $75,000 carryover for a marina fish-cleaning station from Marina Reserves and $350,000 remaining on the library renovation grant — after Chair recused themself from the bike-trail paving item because the Chair said they are the lead designer on that project.
The board also approved contracting Strand Associates to prepare a wastewater treatment facility plan required by the state as the city updates its sanitary sewer service area, and accepted a presentation of a draft 20-year water system master plan that recommends a consolidated booster station, tower rehabilitation and an asset-management approach.
Construction items: Members approved multiple construction change orders on the County Highway LL utility extension; staff warned several of those amounts are worst-case estimates tied to winter work and slurry backfill requirements and said costs will be monitored. The board also approved Change Order 4 for the water-treatment-plant upgrade, a larger packet of additions that staff said arose from site discoveries, winter conditions and work needed to keep the existing plant operating during construction.
Looking ahead: Staff said the next regular Board of Public Works meeting is Feb. 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the city chamber. Several projects discussed — notably the water master plan recommendations and the wastewater facilities plan — will return for additional public meetings and, where required, formal hearings under state rules.
