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Albert Lea seeks $40 million in state bonding for Upper Lee wastewater improvements
Summary
Albert Lea City Council approved a 2026 capital budget request asking the State of Minnesota for $40 million toward an estimated $80 million Upper Lee Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project that would address phosphorus treatment and other facility upgrades.
The Albert Lea City Council voted May 27 to approve a 2026 capital budget request to the State of Minnesota seeking $40,000,000 toward the Upper Lee Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project, roughly half of an estimated $80,000,000 project cost.
City staff said the upgrades are needed to support community industries and address phosphorus treatment and other facility improvements to protect natural resources. Staff recommended the project be designated the city's top state-bonding priority.
Council asked whether the city's 2025 bonding request had advanced; the city manager said staff had no recent update from lobbyists and that the presence or absence of a bonding bill at the state level could affect timing. Council approved forwarding the 2026 request as submitted.
Next steps: staff will submit the capital request to the state and monitor the progress of any bonding bill and related state appropriations.
