Staff reports Marshfield utility pilot payment near $2 million; commission asks statutory and scope questions

Staff presented the annual pilot-payment review, reporting the pilot increased by about $20,000 to just under $2,000,000 and noting the payment flows to the city's general fund. Staff said the pilot figures include the utility's payment and added a chart listing the city's top taxpaying entities for context.

Commissioners questioned the statutory basis, asking whether the pilot statute was revised in 1996 and which entities fall under the statute; staff responded that the pilot applies to municipal electric and water utilities under state statute and that other utilities (telecommunications, wastewater) are treated differently. Commissioners also asked whether fiber or dark-fiber plant value is included in the pilot base; staff said pilot calculations apply to electric and water plant-in-service and not the communications utility.

The presentation was informational and no action was requested; staff said the pilot payment is scheduled to be paid in April 2025.