Operations center progress, litigation timeline and finances reviewed by Waukesha water utility staff

Waukesha Water Utility staff provided an operations and financial update at the July 16 meeting, showing construction progress at the new operations center and outlining litigation and capital-financing developments.

Staff presented drone and interior photos of the new operations center, reporting that windows and door jambs are in, interior patching and painting are imminent and the garage pavement is complete. Staff said a fall move-in remains the planning estimate.

On litigation, staff said depositions and expert reports are expected to be completed by the end of August or early September and that a tentative mediation date is possible at the end of October, subject to scheduling and receipt of expert reports. "We have a tentative date at the end of October, but that's dependent on the expert report scheduling," staff said. Staff also reported difficulty scheduling with the opposing party's counsel, noting "lack of communication from SJ Lewis attorney on them." No court date was announced; staff said an early-December update to the court could lead to a date being set.

Staff reported that the Public Service Commission granted permission to pause the utility's rate case, which staff characterized as important because it avoids potentially placing two rate increases before customers while Milwaukee's decision is pending.

On capital work and operations, staff said well-abandonment work is underway (wells 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13), with bids to be advertised July 21 and a bid opening August 11. Staff described technical challenges at Well 5 related to historical blasting that complicates camera inspections. Lead and copper sampling is underway and staff thanked participating households for cooperation.

Financially, staff said revenue is above budget due to an extra billing cycle and high seasonal usage. The utility's cash position rose from $53,400,000 at the start of the month to $54,300,000 at month-end; that figure includes an almost $1.5 million WIFIA issuance intended to fund construction costs for the operations center.

What happens next
Staff will return bid results and contract awards for well-abandonment work at the Commission's August meeting. Litigation scheduling and the PSC rate-case pause may require additional filings and updates as external parties set dates.