Madison commission approves large‑load interruptible electric rate, raises airport land‑lease fees and awards infrastructure contracts

The Madison City Commission on an evening voice vote adopted Ordinance 1688, which adds a new "large load" interruptible customer class to the city's electric rate ordinance and sets eligibility rules for customers seeking the rate.

Jamieson, a city staff member presenting the ordinance at the second and final reading, said the classification is intended for customers with a minimum 5 megawatts of peak demand and a minimum 80% load factor who are willing to accept interruptible service. "They must have a minimum peak demand of 5 megawatts, a minimum load factor of at least 80%. They must be willing to be interruptible on their electric service, and then they must pay for all associated studies and cost to connect into the electric system to be eligible for this customer's classification," Jamieson said. He explained the ordinance updates sections of the municipal code and that the specific demand charge will be set annually in the city's rate resolution rather than fixed in ordinance.

The same meeting also approved Resolution 2026‑04 to increase land‑lease rates for hangars at Madison Municipal Airport. Jamieson said finance staff benchmarked comparable regional airports and proposed moving prime hangar land from $0.10 to $0.15 per square foot and other hangars from $0.06 to $0.11 per square foot. He said the change is intended to align Madison with mid‑range comparables while keeping the dollar impact modest: "If you take a 40 by 60 hangar ... $240 annually" under the old rate versus roughly $300 under the new prime rate, Jamieson said, characterizing the change as "pretty negligible" for most owners. The resolution was set to take effect Jan. 1, 2027 to align with annual lease billing cycles.

On procurement, the commission awarded Bid 2026 (multi‑community asphalt surface treatment) to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation. Ryan, a city staff member, reported the low overall bid was $509,119.80 against an engineer's estimate of $535,930; Madison's share of the multi‑community project (with Howard and Tyndall participating) is $326,253.40. Ryan said the bid is within budget and recommended award to the contractor, noting prior satisfactory work in 2025.

The commission also approved a $7,400 change order to furnish a WAPA (Western Area Power Authority) meter and associated wiring and installation for the Green Substation reconstruction after WAPA updated its requirements for new substations. Jamieson said the requirement "increases the original contract price from $555,000 up $7,400 to a new contract price of $562,400." He told commissioners that WAPA's change is not optional for utilities and that no federal funds are expected to cover the item.

All of the above motions were approved by voice vote with the commission indicating "aye" and the mayor noting the motions carried.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance 1688 (add large‑load interruptible electric rate): adopted (voice vote). - Resolution 2026‑04 (increase Madison Municipal Airport land‑lease fees): adopted (voice vote), effective 2027‑01‑01. - Award — Bid 2026 multi‑community asphalt surface treatment: awarded to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corporation (voice vote). - Change order — Green Substation WAPA metering (+$7,400): approved (voice vote).

Next steps and context Ordinance 1688 does not automatically place any customer in the new class; interested customers must demonstrate eligibility and cover studies and connection costs. The airport lease increases were timed to give existing lessees notice before January lease renewals. The asphalt project includes approvals or participation decisions from two neighboring communities; the contractor said it will honor the bid price if other communities opt out.

The commission moved through a busy consent and business agenda and adjourned after hearing project updates from staff.