Water Project and Rate Impact: Village of Arlington  Summary of Water Project and Rate Impact  In 2018, the Village of Arlington Water Utility water samples were found to contain nitrates at concentrations exceeding the Safe Drinking Water Act maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrates. The Village reached a consent order with the DNR that required the Village to take corrective action to reduce nitrate levels. The Village was given four options (see PSC Final Decision for Well 4 Construction for more details), with the most cost effective option being to construct a new well at an estimated cost of $2,478,000. The PSC Final Decision for Well 4 Construction, estimated the impact of rates for this project to be a 182% Increase. The Village approved applying for an application for funding the project with Department of Administration Safe Drinking Water Fund (SDWF) loans. They were approved for a loan at a rate of 2.035%. The Department of Administration required the Village to complete a water rate increase study with the Public Service Commission (PSC) to have rates increased at a level to fund the future debt repayments for the SDWF loan. The Village applied for a rate increase with the PSC and during the process, they worked with the PSC to keep the rates as affordable as possible, while meeting the operating costs and debt service payments of the water utility and also meeting the requirements from the DOA for the SDWF loan. The Final Decision from the PSC noted an overall rate increase of 72.05%, which was much lower than the PSC predicted in the construction authorization. The Village public fire protection charges (PFP) before the rate case with the PSC was $81,506, and was paid by property taxes. The Village PFP charge with the new rates was increased to $140,137. Since the Village is subject to levy limits (sec. 66.0602, Wis. Stats.) they are not allowed to increase taxes to pay for the additional PFP charge, therefore the additional $58,631 was placed as a direct charge on the water bills. It is important to note that the Village had the option to move all $140,137 to a direct charge, but they opted to keep the original amount funded by levy to lower the impact on the water bills. Many utilities are opting to move all of their PFP to a direct charge on the water bills to make room in the general fund budget for increasing expenditures. 

TEST TW WEATHER

Pride of the Prairie

Getting To Know the Small-Town Charms Of the Village of Arlington in Wisconsin

A Growing Community in Columbia County, Wisconsin

Welcome to the Village of Arlington, where you will find a healthy and happy lifestyle. We are a growing community of 846 residents located just twenty miles north of downtown Madison in Southern Columbia County. We enjoy our small-town charms while having access to the best of the urban way of life.

Village Board Meetings

We have village board meetings on the second Monday of every month at 6:30 P.M. You can ask questions, discuss your doubts, and we can all come up with the best possible solutions for all your concerns. If you want to see what has been discussed or the agenda topics, go to the Agenda and Minutes tab.

Public Posting Locally at Three Locations:
Arlington Community Center - 200 Commercial Street (Outside Notice Board)
US Post Office - 205 Main Street
Arlington BP - 200 US HIGHWAY 51

Village Hall Hours

Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 12 Noon
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Apointments
Feel Free to schedule.
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News & Notices

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Upcoming Events

March, 2024

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March 27, 2024

Village Board Meeting

The Village Board Meeting will be held on April 1st instead of on April 8th.