Wausau Water Works Commission Meeting - 9/1/26

The City of Wausau Water Works Commission held a meeting on September 1, 2026, primarily focused on reviewing the financial status and future rate adjustments for the city's water and wastewater utilities. A detailed presentation by Brian Romer from the Public Service Commission outlined the current financial benchmarks, including debt coverage and reserves, and discussed the implications of upcoming capital projects on utility rates. The commission reviewed options for rate increases, including simplified and conventional rate cases, with projections showing potential rate adjustments ranging from 7.3% to over 20% depending on timing and approach. The discussion also covered the impact of pilot payments, PAS funds, and lead service line replacement funding on the utilities' finances. No immediate action was taken, but the commission planned to revisit the rate adjustment discussion in the following month. The meeting emphasized the importance of timely rate adjustments to maintain fiscal sustainability and meet capital improvement needs.