Committee approves $45,000 reallocation to address unexpected muck in stormwater basin

The Middleton Finance and Personnel Committee voted to recommend that the Common Council approve Resolution 2025-58, a $45,000 amendment to the 2025 stormwater utility budget to cover additional excavation and restoration work at the Middleton Hills, Southeast and Spring Hills stormwater basin project.

Speaker 1 introduced the amendment, noting the fiscal impact of $45,000 and staff’s recommendation. "This has a fiscal impact of $45,000 and staff is recommending this amendment as a reallocation of $45,000 from the airport ditch maintenance project," Speaker 1 said.

Staff and members described an unforeseen field condition: initial soil borings showed about 1 foot of sediment across the basin, but contractors found "some areas of like about 3 to 4 feet of muck, which is not suitable to put a line," Speaker 4 said, explaining the additional excavation and disposal costs. Speaker 4 also told the committee that final restoration and planting would wait until spring 2026.

Committee members raised concerns about using an account labeled for airport projects. "Why are we taking money from the airports project without running it past the airport commission?" Speaker 1 asked. Staff clarified that the account title is a relic and that the capital outlay account number (635739800) has been used as a placeholder for deferred ditch maintenance and operational items; larger capital restoration work remains planned for later years.

Staff added that the city has requested funding for a ditch study to scope larger work at the airport ditches and that the 45,000 is intended for the immediate, unforeseen muck removal. The committee approved the recommendation by voice vote and will forward the amendment to the Common Council for final action.