Public Service Committee - October 13, 2026

The Public Service Committee meeting on October 13, 2026, reviewed upcoming and active utility and infrastructure projects. Two water and paving projects—on Good Street and the western portion of Long View—are expected to go out to bid in the next few months, with funding from OPWC funds and EPA loans. Wastewater work included an ongoing sanitary sewer overflow project, a sewer-lining phase expected in the coming months, and a digester-lid project under contract with an estimated cost of about $2.5 million. The 750,000-gallon low-side water tower project has been delayed by FAA-related issues; construction is estimated at just under $7 million, with the project shifted to the 2027 budget after $6 million had been budgeted for 2026. The committee also reviewed 2027 capital items, including an approximately $475,000 sidewalk program and traffic-signal, electrical-system, and substation upgrades. The city fiber buildout continues, with 2,637 homes connected; adding an installer was discussed but no decision was made.

The committee advanced a lime-purchase appropriation request to the Committee of the Whole with a recommendation for two readings, and advanced a supplemental appropriation for additional network monitoring by Aspen Network Solutions for two readings. A separate appropriation for postage and the state outside-kilowatt tax was also advanced. The committee moved proposed electric, water, sewer, and stormwater rate ordinances to the Committee of the Whole with recommendations for three readings; if adopted, the utility changes would take effect January 1, 2027, and the average residential combined utility bill was presented as increasing about $21 per month. Members urged stronger public communication about the increases. A WCTV transition to a broader city marketing and communications operation was discussed, including declining cable revenues and possible future funding and staffing approaches, but no action was taken.