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Finance
Considering rate increases for utilities, such as water, electric, and sewer services, becomes necessary when facing challenges like low cash flow or imminent large capital projects. Implementing gradual rate adjustments can prevent customer shock and facilitate easier budgeting, making it essential for utilities to evaluate their financial health and plan accordingly.
Securing funds for infrastructure projects can be a challenge for municipalities. The good news? There's a wealth of grant programs available to support a wide range of projects. Whether you're looking to upgrade storm drains, install solar panels, or restore your local stream, there's likely a grant program out there that aligns with your goals. Follow these steps to find the best grant to fit your project!
A new option to fund replacing private lead service lines (LSLs) has just been introduced. This option allows municipalities to create a new program utility that is completely separate from their water utilities. This new utility would loan money to property owners to fund replacing their LSLs.
Before a public utility can change water rates and begin billing those rates, the utility must receive approval from the PSC. For water rate cases, utilities have the option to file either a Conventional Rate Case (CRC) or a Simplified Rate Case (SRC). A CRC is recommended if your utility is making more substantial changes to rates. Learn how we can help you process your next municipal conventional water rate case with the PSC.
If you have a water or wastewater project that needs funding, you should consider submitting an intent to apply before October 31 for the state’s revolving fund loan program. Eligible projects receive below-market interest rates. Learn more about these funding options and how to apply.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is providing a substantial increase in funding for Lead Service Line (LSL) Projects. Under the updated program, LSL Projects will now be managed through the WDNR Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP). The updated scoring criteria now places an emphasis on disadvantaged municipalities or census tracts. Here is some key information to prepare you for getting your LSL funding.
Water Utilities must apply to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) in order to receive a Certificate of Authority (approval) for most water-related construction projects. PSC § 184.03 provides details on the types of construction projects that would require PSCW construction authorization.
Record-setting employee turnover. Sky-high bids for construction projects. Staggering price increases for supplies such as chemicals for water treatment. The signs of inflation are everywhere and it is devouring the capacity for municipalities to accomplish what they need to. Learn how your municipality can fight back!
Water rate cases now allow utilities to include projects that will be completed at any point in the year after the test year. Before this change, utilities could include costs only for projects that would be completed in the first half of the year following the test year. This change expands how useful conventional rate cases are for utilities, especially with many utilities experiencing project delays due to supply chain or labor issues.
Municipalities are constantly balancing growing to-do lists with tight budgets and limited options for project funding. Learn how a long-range capital improvement plan (CIP) can help your community prioritize projects and build a foundation for your annual budget, eliminating the stress of selecting and funding projects ad-hoc.
All applications for FFY 2023-2026 BIL funding through the STP, Local Bridge, and/or CMAQ Improvement Programs are due by 5:00 PM on Friday, June 3, 2022. Learn what your municipality needs to know to take advantage of the $1.3 billion in federal funding now available for WI transportation projects.
Wisconsin municipalities have been forced to navigate restrictive limits on property tax increases for years, and because levy limit changes do not account for inflation, these levies will remain flat as inflation continues to grow. Learn how your municipality can use creative funding options to offset this financial burden and pay for the infrastructure improvements and services your community needs.
President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into law on November 15, 2021. This $1.2 trillion bill includes $550 billion in new spending over the next eight years, roughly doubling the impact of status-quo infrastructure funding levels. Learn how this new funding will impact your next municipal infrastructure project.
There’s an uptick in the number of municipalities, solar developers, and utility companies evaluating green space for the potential installation of ground-mounted solar energy projects. This growing interest is not surprising, as the community benefits of solar energy are far reaching. For municipalities, going solar can create opportunities for cost savings and community development, but how exactly does a municipality afford to “go solar?”
The U.S Treasury released final guidance on how municipalities can use American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Learn which additional infrastructure projects are eligible for ARPA funding under the final rule.
The US Treasury distributed the first allotment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in June of this year, however, many Wisconsin municipalities are taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to allocating their payment. However, ARPA Legislation states that municipal relief funds must be allocated by December 2024, and early planning is paramount to getting your projects off the ground on time. Here are answers to the questions we’ve heard most often surrounding ARPA to help keep your planning process moving forward.
Identifying, prioritizing, and budgeting for infrastructure improvements and maintenance needs can seem like a never-ending process, especially if you’re managing multiple schools and facilities but dealing with limited funds. Our experts developed this list to help you efficiently build your budget, effectively prioritize your maintenance needs, and keep your sanity in the process.
Renewable energy initiatives and opportunities are growing throughout the Midwest. Various types of organizations, both private and municipal, are evaluating open agricultural lands, under-utilized brownfields, closed landfills, and other open space for the potential installation of ground-mounted solar generation and battery storage projects. However, these initiatives like other projects, often come up against funding hiccups.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently released updated guidance on the use of American Rescue Plan Act Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The Interim Final Rule offers an expanded interpretation regarding the types of sewer, water, and broadband infrastructure projects that qualify for funding. Find out if your next infrastructure project is eligible for Local Fiscal Recovery Funding.
If your utility is planning capital projects or seeing an increase in operation and maintenance expenses, you may need to file a rate case with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC). This process can be slow and labor intensive, which is why we’ve come up with a list of best practices to keep things running smoothly and help you avoid common missteps that lead to long rate case delays.
