$220 Million Proposed in 2025 to Reduce Overflows, Basement Backups and Flooding

09/09/24 08:00:am

Contact: Bill Graffin

MMSD Public Information Manager

(414) 225-2077

(Milwaukee, WI) – Overflow reduction and flood management efforts would see a $220 million investment under the proposed 2025 budgets for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). If approved, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay an additional $12.00 in 2025 compared to 2024 charges.

Home Valued at $200,000 Estimated to Pay in 2025:

User Charge	$187.91	(Up $21.42 or 12.9% over 2024)
Tax Bill	$247.42	(Down $9.42 or 3.7% from 2024)
Total	$435.33	(Up $12.00 or 2.8% over 2024)

Public Hearings Scheduled for MMSD 2025 Budgets

MMSD customers are encouraged to provide input on the 2025 proposed budgets through our Contact Us form on the MMSD website or at one of the public hearings listed below.

Monday, September 23rd, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at MMSD Headquarters, 260 W. Seeboth, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Monday, October 14th, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. at MMSD Headquarters, 260 W. Seeboth, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through sign language interpreters or other auxiliary aids. For additional information to request these services, contact the Commission Secretary, Office of the Commission at (414) 225-2264, or write to Office of the Commission, 260 W. Seeboth Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204.

2025 Combined Summary of Revenues and Expenditures

(Dollars in Thousands)

	2023 Actual	2024 Amended Budget	2025 Proposed Budget	Change from 2024 Amended Budget	% Change from 2024 Amended Budget
Operations & Maintenance
Sources of Funds
User Charge Billings	$96,112	$102,521	$109,187	$6,666	6.5%
Milorganite^® Sales (Net)	12,223	11,300	11,800	500	4.4%
All Other Operating Income	7,404	6,046	6,119	73	1.2%
User Charge Stabilization Fund Applied (or Contribution)	500	(800)	0	800	-100.0%
Equipment Replacement Fund Applied (or Contribution)	(150)	(150)	(150)	0	0.0%
Surplus Applied	5,023	5,798	4,234	(1,564)	-27.0%
Total Sources of Operations & Maintenance Funds	121,112	124,715	131,191	6,475	5.2%
Capital
Tax Levy	109,126	112,400	115,772	3,372	3.0%
Non-member Billings	25,971	26,374	23,820	(2,554)	-9.7%
Interest and Other Income	11,810	1,653	1,755	102	6.2%
Federal and State Aid	4,086	28,955	7,483	(21,474)	-74.2%
CWFL Loans	22,986	30,000	55,000	25,000	83.3%
WIFIA Loans	-	-	28,645	28,645	100.0%
District Bonds	68,083	90,000	108,000	18,000	20.0%
Use of (Additions to) Available Funds	(39,668)	(12,489)	(19,375)	(6,886)	-55.1%
Total Sources of Capital Funds	202,394	276,893	321,100	44,207	16.0%
Total Sources of Funds	$323,506	$401,608	$452,291	$50,683	12.6%
Expenditures
Operations & Maintenance
Net Division Expenditures	$104,491	$106,847	$113,160	$6,313	5.9%
Net Fringe Benefit Expenditures	9,615	14,740	14,196	(544)	-3.7%
Unallocated Reserve	0	3,129	3,835	706	22.6%
Total Operations & Maintenance Expenditures	114,106	124,715	131,191	6,475	5.2%
Capital
Water Reclamation Facilities	40,462	53,446	55,518	2,072	3.9%
Conveyance Facilities	26,932	20,895	38,721	17,826	85.3%
Watercourse & Flood Mgmt Projects	12,968	20,574	45,933	25,359	123.3%
Other Projects & Programs	27,087	76,699	80,043	3,344	4.4%
Debt Service	94,945	105,279	100,885	(4,394)	-4.2%
Total Capital Expenditures	202,394	276,893	321,100	44,207	16.0%
Total Expenditures	$316,500	$401,608	$452,291	$50,683	12.6%

Note, that totals may not appear to add due to rounding.

To view MMSD's 2025 proposed budgets

MMSD Capital Budget:

The tax levy is the Capital Budget’s primary funding source. The majority of capital expenditures are for improvements and replacements of assets at the water reclamation facilities and in the conveyance system. The capital budget also funds watercourse and flood management projects, the private property infiltration and inflow reduction program, most of MMSD's green infrastructure work, and 2050 Facilities Plan projects.

MMSD Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Budget:

User charges are the O&M Budget’s primary funding source. In addition to user charge billings, MMSD has other operating revenue sources. MMSD's second-largest O&M revenue source is from Milorganite® net revenue. The majority of overall expenditures in the O&M Budget include the operating contract with Veolia Water Milwaukee and energy expenditures at the water reclamation facilities. This budget also funds a significant level of machinery and equipment maintenance at the water reclamation facilities, some of the green infrastructure work, expanded information technology initiatives, marketing efforts for Milorganite^®, and expenditures related to MMSD salaries, wages, and benefits.