Waukesha Water Utility updates operations center construction and year-end finances; reports $1.88M WIFIA funds

The Waukesha City Water Utility Commission heard construction and financial updates for the new operations center and broader utility finances.

Construction staff said roof decking is in place and steel is erected for the shop and office areas, with lean-to storage and parts racking to follow. "They're hoping for late October completion where we can start moving in," said a staff member providing the construction update, who added that full transition of parts and offices could take one to two months after occupancy is granted.

Finance staff reported that the utility started the month with $47,300,000 in cash, recorded issuance/receipt of $1,880,000 in WIFIA funds for the operations center and ended the month at $48,100,000. "So we started at $47,300,000... the issuance of debt of $1,880,000. So those are WIFIA funds that we received for our ops center," Courtney (staff member) said.

Operational updates included two water main breaks since the last meeting; staff said both occurred on Sunday night, and one incident required replacement of roughly 18 feet of pipe after a section could not be located. Staff also reported that inventory processes were completed and that standard maintenance and fleet costs will continue under the operating budget.

Commissioners asked about the project timeline, inventory staging and which costs will carry into 2027; staff said most operations-center-specific costs are expected to drop after the building is in use but routine maintenance and fleet costs will continue.

The meeting closed with thanks to crews for emergency work and seasonal greetings.