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Council hears large unfunded water‑system needs and legal limits on rate funding; members propose legislative options
Summary
Staff said FY26 funded water projects total about $3.1M with an unfunded FY26 water CIP of $26.2M and a five‑year unfunded total near $143M. Councilors discussed PUC constraints on spending and proposed seeking General Assembly permission to use non‑rate revenues for urgent utility upgrades.
Finance staff told the council that the water fund’s FY26 capital funding projection is approximately $3.1 million, with a five‑year funded total of about $21.4 million but a large amount of unfunded work: roughly $26.2 million in FY26 and $143 million over five years. Staff emphasized that the only funding option outside PUC‑approved rates is grants.
A councilor urged pursuing legislative relief to allow municipalities to apply non‑rate local resources to utility upgrades and to seek General Assembly permission for non‑rate funding to chip away at immediate needs. "We've got to find $105,000,000 somehow," the councilor said, arguing the age of the system requires urgent action. Utility staff and the finance director cautioned that any change would require careful legal design to address equitability with wholesale customers and PUC oversight; staff agreed to pursue legislative options and continue a rate study.
