[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6523377,"mediaKeyId","5034047-950813d63e34e5a6060077a4471ec2e9","parentId",5034047,"title","Audit: Waukesha Water Utility posts clean opinion; cash reserves and debt coverage remain strong","audioSeconds",544,"startMs",1250000,"endMs",1794000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5034047-950813d63e34e5a6060077a4471ec2e9&start=1250&end=1794","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5034047-950813d63e34e5a6060077a4471ec2e9/thumbnail_1250000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6523377/Waukesha-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Audit-Waukesha-Water-Utility-posts-clean-opinion-cash-reserves-and-debt-coverage-remain-strong","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523377-eb6802e2dead9c4fb2148a50c453666c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177248&Signature=IW2wjstsjxjk5bOsInZe~U8pcAWCUIgOwjkAIvDTicN4eXltfTS~jpMcnxD8ei960AuVGxQ3r8gDiBLSW1kmd0rHNt6ETzUajOVKfbhmQpqppgTgSAXFdlbVQ95So~zti9XP2mAb0gWuDfF-Iz9A12WrHXzHQUMqNKbPOWRICDgy98T6f~03-Mf1kU83zRQFKrHPACsbcgIGAN4Ewg264pcCWVPuTGRfgpk2sboMY2pF3RD-8OUwDLeXX3AoND7OiR1w72pkSp-dvnWB163RdXjsyg2oXdZlOEzE~U59vf980QeT54Wc42EskXpH4KYlcfSeOROssgBFXOMXW17Wpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Waukesha, WI","date","2025-06-19T00:00:00Z","article","Waukesha — Auditor Jody Dobson of Baker Tilly told the Waukesha Water Utility Commission on June 19 that the 2024 audit resulted in an unmodified, or clean, opinion and that key financial metrics indicate the utility remains in a stable position despite recent capital spending.

Dobson said the auditor reviewed changes from 2023 to 2024, applied testing procedures and concluded the financial statements fairly present the utility’s financial position and results of operations. She told commissioners there was one new accounting standard in effect related to compensated absences that produced a slight, non-material change in presentation.

Key findings and metrics cited at the meeting:
- Audit opinion: unmodified (clean). Dobson said the opinion \"is, as in the past, an unmodified or a clean opinion.\"
- Rate of return: The utility's rate of return ended 2024 at about 4.1%. Staff noted the PSC benchmark at the time was about 6.2 and that 2025 results may move closer to that benchmark as the second-step rates were in effect only part of 2024.
- Debt coverage: Earnings available for debt service exceeded the requirement (the utility’s debt-coverage metric was reported as significantly above the 1.1x requirement for revenue debt).
- Months of cash on hand: Cash balances are stable; auditors and staff noted a target minimum (GFOA minimum of three months) and that rating agencies look for higher months (6–12 months) when evaluating bond ratings. The utility ended the year with cash on hand that staff characterized as a strong position given recent capital spending.
- Capital financing: The utility reported about 81% of capital assets financed with outstanding debt, a result the auditor said is consistent with a utility that has completed a major capital project and will trend downward over time.

Commissioner questions centered on whether operating expenses would continue to trend down. Dobson and staff said 2024’s lower operating expenses partly reflected timing and one-time items tied to the project transition; 2025 projections would depend on actual operations and budgeted expectations.

Next steps: The draft audit will be finalized for formal acceptance later in the process; staff said they will bring a final version for commission action once reports are complete.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Waukesha, WI - Waukesha Water Commission on 2025-06-19 6:00 PM - Jun 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Auditor Baker Tilly issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the utility's 2024 financial statements. The commission heard metrics on rate of return, debt coverage and cash-on-hand during the commission's June 19 meeting.","taxTitle","Waukesha City, Waukesha County, Wisconsin","taxId",9326,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6523382,"Waukesha utility to seek PSC approval for water-rate increase; commission approves series of contracts and insurance renewals",2029,91000,2120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5034047-950813d63e34e5a6060077a4471ec2e9&start=91&end=2120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5034047-950813d63e34e5a6060077a4471ec2e9/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6523382/Waukesha-City/Waukesha-County/Wisconsin/Waukesha-utility-to-seek-PSC-approval-for-water-rate-increase-commission-approves-series-of-contracts-and-insurance-renewals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6523382-b2568479e604089f01bcf6d9ddeab4a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177249&Signature=TDeCaJg3bpzWwdt3ncyvt9N7IN1i0FlccxE~SDxFx-ebg6Iog10RQMtBkqEVue3yzpYcXZ84QEOzdV3QXEtTQ1vuXfZwAGOd2qPrFQljsWHDZ9zASNq5hY7paQXON4U7rW0u2Igo9Q4dkc3hztDtSli43BaccNKWmAGc298TZ4DFyPpGMJKe10VfcmHD5OISwNaD~lSDKZvcQltAjRaeQYcfGM6k3Qn6D91lTWnJ3rRxNEcyqwQsSQmjwyRG~mcDz27-v-mQ5Yv75tB-66bOOA~ppwLSNgUOON2YNITvFUXsojM7ZzQfDL4uVAHLglWVHk3sdz7rk33a7ZEtvg1fMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Waukesha — The Waukesha Water Utility Commission voted June 19 to submit an application to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking a conventional increase in water rates under PSC docket 6240-WR-111 and approved several routine contracts and policy renewals.

The rate filing was described by utility staff as a follow-up to a two-step increase approved by the PSC in 2023 and 2024 tied to the Great Water Alliance project. Utility staff said they will request a short extension of the PSC filing deadline (from the current August 15 date) to October 1 to allow time to compile actual operating costs and updated abandonment cost estimates for facilities the city expects to decommission as part of the Great Water Alliance work.

Commissioners and staff said the utility is estimating roughly a 13% increase to the water portion of bills for the proposed filing, but noted that the water portion represents only part of customers’ total bills. Utility staff said the projected increase would translate to about a 6.6% increase on the combined water, return-flow and sewer bill. Courtney, utility staff, told the commission: “we are estimating a rate increase of about 13%.”

Why it matters: The PSC regulates water rates for utilities in Wisconsin. Staff said the new filing will rely on roughly 18 months of actual costs since the earlier rate case, updated amortization entries for costs tied to a now-abandoned Oak Creek option, and better estimates of abandonment costs for facilities tied to the Great Water Alliance. The PSC’s review of rate cases typically takes 12–18 months, staff said.

Public comment and commission discussion: Two members of the public asked questions at the meeting. Chris Wilson, who identified himself as a property owner on Pleasant View Avenue, said he sought clearer information after news coverage and asked, “I’m just here to understand because I mean, you only get nit bits from the news and I wanna understand exactly kinda what’s going on here because I was under the assumption that there were 2 tiers and those 2 tiers happened and I’m wondering why there’s now another 1 being inserted.” Kurt Bauer, a Waukesha resident and realtor, thanked staff for the presentation and said he will pass the information to clients.

Mayor Riley and other commissioners added context about the scale of recent investments. The mayor said the change in water supply and wastewater plant work together explain much of the cost pressure, noting, “we went from 1 supply to a new supply. It costs $286,000,000 has to be paid back … over 38 years.” The mayor also described state Department of Natural Resources requirements and investments made in the sanitary (clean water) plant.

Votes at a glance (action items taken June 19)
- 5f — Motion to submit an application to request an increase to water rates per PSC order (docket 6240-WR-111). Moved: Commissioner Ybarra; Second: Commissioner Curry. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Staff will request an extension to October 1 for filing materials and said the filing will use 18+ months of actual costs, updated amortizations and abandonment estimates.
- 5a — Approve payments from the general fund and improvement fund (vouchers). Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Commissioners asked about specific invoices (e.g., legal billing and online transaction fees) during the discussion.
- 5b — Approve water-utility portion of staking and inspection services for the city’s 2025 resurfacing/utility improvements (estimated utility cost $30,000). Moved: Commissioner Curry; Second: Mayor Riley. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- 5c — Approve water-utility portion of staking/inspection services for Greenmead utility/street improvements (estimated utility cost $32,000). Moved: Commissioner Francor; Second: Commissioner Curry. Outcome: Approved (voice vote).
- 5d — Approve fiber relocation to Sims ($88,462.75) and project engineering fees to MCE ($9,762.50) — total $98,225.25. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: The relocation was prompted by Wisconsin DOT road work on Highway 59 that will conflict with the fiber conduit carrying the utility’s SCADA communications between booster pump stations; staff said the move is intended to minimize downtime and reduce risk of longer outages.
- 5e — Approve professional services contract with Fourth Infrastructure and Environment LLC (up to $50,000) to allow the retiring general manager to provide consulting support through a third-party arrangement related to ongoing litigation and project closeout. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Staff explained the arrangement is to permit a retired employee to assist via a third-party firm in keeping continuity for depositions and project closeout.
- 5g — Approve business insurance renewals for policy year beginning July 1 with LWMMI (liability/crime/cyber), MPIC (property/equipment breakdown) and Erie (workers’ compensation) at quoted premiums. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: The total premium increase is $10,857 (7.78%); staff cited higher property and fleet values and added fiber coverage. Work-comp experience rating improved and yields a 30% guaranteed dividend on $30,000.
- 5h — Approve commercial, industrial and large multifamily cross-connection program services with HydroCorp (contract extension pending staff approval). Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: The DNR requires a cross-connection control program; HydroCorp’s proposed contract increases monthly cost from the 2022 figure to $8,570.90 in year 1 and includes 60 additional annual inspections to meet compliance obligations.

What’s next: Staff will prepare and file the PSC application and return to the commission as needed. The PSC review is expected to take 12–18 months. Several contract approvals are contingent on final paperwork and budget allocations; staff said construction and relocation projects have funding within current budgets or come in under planned amounts.","The Waukesha Water Utility Commission voted to submit an application to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to request a conventional water-rate increase and approved multiple routine contracts, a fiber relocation, insurance renewals and a cross-connection contract during its June 19 meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Audit: Waukesha Water Utility posts clean opinion; cash reserves and debt coverage remain strong

Waukesha utility to seek PSC approval for water-rate increase; commission approves series of contracts and insurance renewals