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Onalaska board approves resolution to seek state drinking-water loan for Well No. 9
Summary
The Board of Public Works and Utilities approved Resolution 15-2026 to declare intent to reimburse project expenditures and to submit a State Drinking Water Fund loan application by June 30; staff estimated project costs between $7 million and $8 million and said a final award (including any principal forgiveness) likely will be known in December 2026.
The Onalaska Board of Public Works and Utilities voted unanimously June 2 to approve Resolution 15-2026, declaring the city’s intent to reimburse expenditures from borrowing through the Wisconsin Environmental Improvement Fund’s State Drinking Water Fund to finance upgrades at Well No. 9.
Jared Halter, who introduced the resolution, said the approval is an early step in the loan process and that the city must submit its loan application by June 30. He said the project is not expected to begin until the first or second quarter of 2027, when staff will know whether the loan has been finalized and what costs are included.
Alder Steven not asked for clarification after spotting a typographical error in the draft resolution that listed "$7,000" where the principal amount should have read millions. Jared Halter said the transcription contains a typo and that staff currently estimate the loan amount will be between $7 million and $8 million, with the final award (and any principal forgiveness for emerging-contaminant work) likely announced in December 2026.
Sabrina Steer said staff are assembling additional application documents and are optimistic about the city’s chances of receiving funding, though the final award is not guaranteed. Halter said staff will return to the board in July with updates before any final loan documents are executed.
The motion to approve Resolution 15-2026, as corrected, passed unanimously.
