Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears budget update and infrastructure reports; wastewater plant low bid reported at roughly $68 million
Summary
Council received a draft budget update that includes a five-month building inspector and proposed $1.5 million land-acquisition reserve, heard that five bids for the wastewater treatment plant opened with a low bid near $67,973,942, and received updates on road openings and Fourth of July logistics.
City staff briefed the Middleton City Council on several items affecting capital planning and near-term operations.
Budget: Staff said the draft budget includes a temporary building inspector budgeted for five months during peak building season so the city can meet inspection needs if construction activity continues to rise. Council was told the mayor intends to review the inspector position in January to determine if ongoing funding is warranted.
Land acquisition: Staff also proposed increasing the land acquisition reserve to as much as $1.5 million, to be funded in part from savings, to pursue potential campus-area property opportunities if they arise. Staff emphasized the funds would not become a discretionary pot for general requests but would be reserved specifically for land purchases that advance city planning goals.
Wastewater procurement: Bids for the wastewater treatment plant opened the same day with five bidders; the low bid reported to the council was approximately $67,973,942 and high bids approached $90 million. Staff said they will review bids over the coming weeks and expect potential protests or bid challenges to be processed before any contract award.
Roads and traffic: Council and staff said new signs for Trolley Way and Middleton Road are ready and that the road opening is planned for July 14 pending county sign acceptance into emergency systems. The Highway 44/Middleton Road intersection will operate as right-in/right-out only until required visual and surface upgrades are completed under ITD coordination. Council also described planned pedestrian improvements at the Willis–Hartley area, including a peanut roundabout design and a possible separate lighted crosswalk to address school traffic.
Parks and events: The council noted the new pickleball courts at Place Park are open, that vandalized bathroom facilities were repaired at city expense, and that Fourth of July parade and fireworks details are posted on the city website; volunteers are still being recruited for the parade.
