Willard council approves the Perry/Willard sewer plant budget; Willard's estimated share is about $299,000

Willard's City Council on June 25, 2026, approved the budget for the wastewater treatment plant the city shares with Perry, according to the meeting minutes. ^[1]

Councilmember Rex Christensen presented the budget on behalf of the joint sewer board. The minutes say the board had discussed an amendment of about $20,000 for equipment and oil supplies, and that the circulated document showed a larger variance and combined fiscal 2025-26 amendments with fiscal 2026-27 projections. ^[1]

Willard's share

Councilmember Mike Braegger noted that Willard's contribution was higher than the prior year's: about $266,000 in the amended prior-year budget, rising to an estimated $299,000 in fiscal 2026-27. ^[1]

Maintenance items listed for fiscal 2026-27 included $17,331 for IFAS repair and parts, $7,000 for gear oil supplies and $4,000 for IFAS gearbox oil. Maintenance Supervisor Payden Vine said the lack of regular oil changes was causing premature wear on gearboxes. ^[1]

A step screen replacement was estimated at about $15,000; the minutes say it was expected to last more than 15 years and reduce recurring maintenance of roughly $5,000 a year. ^[1]

The vote

The minutes record that follow-up clarification with Perry City's finance contact would be needed and that a budget amendment might be necessary once final numbers were confirmed. The council noted that state law requires these budgets to be approved by fiscal year-end. ^[1]

Braegger moved to approve and Councilmember Jacob Bodily seconded. Councilmembers Jordan Hulsey, Christensen, Braegger and Bodily voted yes. ^[1]

Earlier in the same meeting, during the city budget discussion, Christensen said a small sewer-related budget amendment was coming but should not delay approval. ^[1]

Willard's sewer fund

In fiscal 2025, Willard's sewer fund collected $716,778 in sewer charges and reported $918,787 in operating expenses, including $392,781 of depreciation and $169,802 in contracted services, for an operating loss of $202,009. ^[2]

With $345,169 in impact fees, $122,009 in interest and $14,112 in connection fees, the fund's net position rose by $279,281. ^[2]

The audit reports 781 sewer connections at year-end and a monthly charge of $59.50 per equivalent residential unit. ^[3]