Bids for Marshfield's New Public Power and Water Utility to Begin this Month

Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 -- 10:11 AM

(WDLB) -Plans for a new multi-million dollar facility for Marshfield's public power and water utility have been finalized, and construction companies will start bidding on the project this month.

That's what Marshfield aldermen were told last night.  After nearly a year of initial approvals, developing detailed specifications and numerous drawing updates, Marshfield Utilities General Manager Nick Kumm told the Common Council that plans for a new facility on the site of the existing office building at 2000 South Central Avenue are moving into the bidding phase. He said bid results should be in before Christmas.  The total estimated cost of the 50-thousand-plus square-foot facility is 17-point-five million dollars, which rate-payers will cover through slightly-higher electric bills. The average residential customer will see an increase of four-dollars a month, which Kumm said still leaves the city with much lower bills than those charged by investor-owned utilities which operate coops near the city.

Even with the higher rates figured in, Kumm said the city's utility charges would still be among the lowest 10-percent in the state.  Kumm also told the Council the higher utility bills would not go into effect until some time in 2023.  Bids and finances will be considered by the city's Utility Commission on January 11 and the Common Council on January 12.  The project includes a 30-thousand square-foot two-story office building attached to a 57-thousand square-foot garage and warehouse facility, plus ample parking for utility employees and customers.  The utility has operated out of its current facility since 1966.

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