Commission approves consultant proposal for 2026 lead service-line replacements; $2.6M annual allocation cited
December 24, 2025 | Brainerd City, Crow Wing County, Minnesota
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission voted Dec. 23 to approve a consultant services proposal for the 2026 lead service-line replacement project and authorized staff to proceed with project design and owner coordination.
Paul, the public utilities director, told commissioners the utility has been allocated approximately $2,600,000 per year on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) project priority list and that staff expects to replace about 120–150 service lines annually under current funding assumptions. For the 2026 program along Highway 210 and in northeast Brainerd, staff recommended contracting Bolton and Mink for design, construction engineering and property-owner coordination for a fee not to exceed $191,750; Paul said that equates to roughly $3,000 in design fees per service.
Paul explained that MDH caps eligible service-line replacement costs at $25,000 per service, leaving about $22,000 per service for construction under the capped limit. He said the program will be phased, notices will be sent only to affected property owners, and owners must sign an agreement that sets out owner and utility responsibilities and which includes an opt-out clause.
Commissioners pressed staff about contingencies if the $2.6 million funding stream were to end; Paul said the utility is high on the MDH priority list because of the number of identified service lines and that the timeline for a fully lead-free system is currently estimated near 2033, subject to continued funding. Staff also confirmed that property owners outside the initial contract area could be added to projects as quantities are refined and as funding is available.
A commissioner moved to approve the Bolton and Mink proposal per staff recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps include finalizing design plans by the March 31, 2026 submission deadline, initiating property-owner notifications and executing the owner–utility agreements before construction.
Paul, the public utilities director, told commissioners the utility has been allocated approximately $2,600,000 per year on the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) project priority list and that staff expects to replace about 120–150 service lines annually under current funding assumptions. For the 2026 program along Highway 210 and in northeast Brainerd, staff recommended contracting Bolton and Mink for design, construction engineering and property-owner coordination for a fee not to exceed $191,750; Paul said that equates to roughly $3,000 in design fees per service.
Paul explained that MDH caps eligible service-line replacement costs at $25,000 per service, leaving about $22,000 per service for construction under the capped limit. He said the program will be phased, notices will be sent only to affected property owners, and owners must sign an agreement that sets out owner and utility responsibilities and which includes an opt-out clause.
Commissioners pressed staff about contingencies if the $2.6 million funding stream were to end; Paul said the utility is high on the MDH priority list because of the number of identified service lines and that the timeline for a fully lead-free system is currently estimated near 2033, subject to continued funding. Staff also confirmed that property owners outside the initial contract area could be added to projects as quantities are refined and as funding is available.
A commissioner moved to approve the Bolton and Mink proposal per staff recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Next steps include finalizing design plans by the March 31, 2026 submission deadline, initiating property-owner notifications and executing the owner–utility agreements before construction.
View the Full Meeting & All Its Details
This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.
✓
Watch full, unedited meeting videos
✓
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
✓
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
✓
Permanent access to expanding government content
30-day money-back guarantee
