Willard delays decision on joining Stockton Lake storage project amid budget concerns
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Summary
The board voted to postpone action on joining a regional Stockton Lake water storage agreement after staff flagged potential pass-through contract obligations and the need to encumber funds; a special meeting or further review was requested.
The Willard Board of Alders on Monday voted to postpone action on becoming a contracted member of a regional water-storage plan at Stockton Lake after staff said membership could create near-term budget obligations.
City staff presented a membership authorization separate from the pass-through contract that would obligate funds. The board was asked to approve only the membership piece that carries no immediate financial obligation; staff and the city's legal reviewer recommended additional time to review the pass-through contract terms and the budget consequences.
"There are some things that we will need to address, likely for a special meeting because there's some budgetary consequences on some of this," a staff member said during the discussion. The staff member explained that signing the pass-through contract could require the city to encumber funds even under an annual payment option.
Why it matters: The storage effort would provide access to stored water at Stockton Lake and could supply additional capacity in a future shortfall. But the pass-through contract reportedly could commit the city to large payments and to share responsibility if other municipalities fail to pay.
Board members asked about timing and the potential size of an obligation. Staff said the pass-through contract terms are largely fixed and that municipalities that withdraw or that do not pay could affect others' shares; one staff member summarized the risk: if another signatory fails to pay, remaining members could be charged an additional share.
After deliberation, Alderman Joyce moved and the board seconded a motion to table the item to the next regular meeting so staff could provide further contract review and legal comment; the motion passed on a recorded vote.
Ending: Staff said they would provide the board with additional contract details and legal comments before a final decision and that a special meeting could be scheduled if the project sponsor sets a hard deadline.