Fennimore council moves to pursue "option C" from sewer rate study; resolution due in October

At its Sept. 15 meeting the Common Council of the City of Fennimore reviewed a sewer rate study and accepted a staff handout recommendation identified as "option C," which calls for phased sewer-rate increases over the next three years. The council directed that the resulting excess funds be reserved to finance a 2028 Department of Transportation (DOT) project and, beginning in 2029, be applied to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) loan on a 25-year payback schedule.

Why it matters: The proposed schedule spreads rate increases across multiple years while earmarking surplus funds for a near-term infrastructure project and long-term WWTP debt service, which could affect sewer customers' bills and the timing of capital work.

The recommendation was presented to the council via a handout; no formal ordinance or rate ordinance was adopted at the meeting. The handout's option C instructs staged increases and sets aside the resultant excess cash to cover the 2028 DOT project; in 2029 the plan would direct excess toward the WWTP loan for a 25-year amortization. Council members agreed to proceed with drafting a resolution reflecting that approach and scheduled the resolution to be returned for formal consideration at the October meeting.

The record does not show a formal vote adopting a final rate ordinance on Sept. 15; the item was advanced to the next meeting with a staff-prepared resolution. The council's next step is the October meeting, when members will consider the resolution and any specific rate ordinance language and effective dates.