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North Fond du Lac reviews water, wastewater and stormwater budgets; new water hire and equipment proposed
Summary
Village staff presented the 2026 water, wastewater and stormwater utility budgets on Feb. 16. The water utility proposes hiring one additional employee to meet DNR requirements and a new hydro excavator purchase; administrators said a rate case is underway and stormwater fees will increase $5 per home per year.
Village staff presented the 2026 utility budgets and highlighted staffing, equipment and rate implications for water, wastewater and stormwater services.
Director of Public Works Mitch Vis said the Water Utility needs an additional employee because the system is growing and the utility must meet Department of Natural Resources requirements. "The new employee is needed to keep up with the growing utility and requirements," Vis told the board. Staff also said they will stop renewing the existing well‑maintenance contract and will instead budget a fixed annual amount for maintenance.
Vis and Administrator Nick Leonard said the budget includes funds to purchase a new hydro excavator rather than a used machine; staff argued a new unit would be more reliable for locating and working on lead service lines and would avoid potentially costly repairs. Leonard told trustees the village is in the middle of a water rate study and that rates will likely need to increase to support rising operating and capital costs, including work on Well #5. The Wastewater Utility budget showed few changes; the 2008 debt service payment to the City of FDL has ended and future plant projects will determine future obligations.
On stormwater, staff proposed a planned $5 per home per year fee increase to help cover current and future capital needs, and noted large upcoming projects such as Polk Street. Trustees asked procedural and procurement questions: Trustee John Duffy asked whether contractors would be available to complete well cleaning if the village did not maintain a contract and staff said contractors are available; Trustee Mike Will urged staff to explore purchase and leasing options before final procurement decisions; President Michael Streetar asked staff to review vehicle needs for any new hire.
No formal budget votes were recorded at the meeting; staff stated they will continue the rate case process and bring final budget actions back to the board for approval.
