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Officials warn of large water/wastewater infrastructure needs, meter replacement costs and utility operations upgrades
Summary
Utility and public works staff told commissioners that water/wastewater capacity studies show substantial long‑term infrastructure needs, proposed targeted equipment replacements this year and a citywide meter‑replacement program that could cost millions; interim fixes and analog meters will be used in low‑connectivity areas.
Public Works and Utilities staff used the budget workshop to detail operational accomplishments and infrastructure pressures, and to request targeted decision packages for fiscal 2027.
Public Works Director Douglas Stano (speaker 10) described a recent reorganization that separated and then recombined utilities and public‑works functions to improve engineering, inspections and construction oversight. He highlighted fleet readiness and itemized near‑term requests such as a hydraulic‑hose making machine, pickup‑bed spreaders and a brine maker to improve winter response capability.
Utility billing supervisor Christie Taylor (speaker 20) described ongoing replacement of failed registers and smart‑meter components. Staff said communication gaps in some neighborhoods require lower‑cost analog meters in the short term and that a citywide, engineering‑scoped full meter replacement program could run into the millions to replace roughly 13,000 meters. “We’re working with an engineering firm to scope a citywide meter‑replacement program,” Taylor said. In the interim, staff continues manual reads and selective register replacement.
Utility operations staff (speaker 10) and assistant director Crystal Harness described progress at water and wastewater treatment plants — new generators, tower improvements, reduced chemical usage from process changes and operator certification gains — and asked for decision packages including a replacement digester blower (an equipment class previously costing several hundred thousand dollars), an additional plant operator for safe 24/7 coverage, additional collection/distribution personnel, a crane truck and a standby generator to support 23 lift stations. Staff emphasized that the sewer‑capacity study and the planned water‑capacity study will guide larger capital planning, but cautioned that needed repairs and capacity work could be very costly in aggregate. "To get our wastewater treatment facility out of critical stage would require tens of millions of dollars," staff said in discussing long‑term needs.
Commissioners asked for detailed cost estimates and timelines; staff agreed to return with prioritized packages and fund capacity scenarios tied to enterprise‑fund rules and the overall city budget.
