Fort Atkinson hires consultant to craft lead service-line replacement plan; cost up to $88,836

Director Navin reviewed the city's obligation under the Wisconsin DNR and federal rules to prepare a lead service lateral replacement plan and said the city issued an RFP and received six proposals. After interviews the staff recommended a joint team of Graefe and City Water LLC as the best value to prepare the plan and a funding strategy. "The timeline is 2037," Navin said when asked about the eventual completion target for replacement work, and he added that federal litigation and program details could change schedules.

Staff described the consulting contract as planning and capacity-building: Graefe and City Water's proposal would prepare the project plan, identify grant and loan opportunities (including the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding), and develop a communications strategy so residents understand the program. The recommended fee for tasks one through five is not to exceed $88,836. Manager Houseman and Director Navin underscored that this agreement does not pay for physical replacement work; it funds consulting, grant applications and program design.

Council asked about homeowner assistance and timelines for grants; staff said the June 30, 2026 Safe Drinking Water loan application deadline is an important near-term milestone and that the consultant phase would likely take nine to 12 months, with a clearer financing plan expected by early 2027. On a motion from a council member, the council authorized the city manager to execute the contract.