Site work for a water / sewer project in Fitchburg, Wisconsin. Conceptual plans call for site work for a water / sewer project.

In the last few years, Fitchburg has experienced large storm events and is seeing record-high groundwater levels. Lake Barney is a glacial kettle with no natural outlet. Under normal circumstances (i.e., as seen over the last 50+ years), water that flows into the lake does not leave and eventually infiltrates/evaporates over time. In 2018, water levels in the lake rose to the point where it overflowed and continued downstream towards the Village of Oregon. One residence located near the lake was required to put up a four foot tall dike and nearby agricultural land is submerged in water. Currently planned timing: 2031: Wetland Delineation 2031: Design/Permitting 2031: Project Construction 2021-2030 CIP Update: Portion of project accelerated one year from 2023/2024 to 2022/2023 2022-2031 CIP Update: Revised the project timeline from 2020-2023 to 2023-2025 and updated total cost from $1,430,000 to $1,233,900 (land acquisition removed). Assumes that half of the project costs in 2023 - 2025 will be paid for by the Village of Oregon. If the Village decides not to participate, Council will need to decide if the City would like to pursue this project on our own. Per the City's ranking system, this is a Priority 4 project (lowest priority) because flooding is located on private property where City stormwater does not contribute significantly to the problem. 2022 Budget Amendment: Accelerated from 2023/2024 to 2022. Updated funding source 20% by stormwater rates and 80% by Congressional District Spending Appropriation (grant). 2024-2033 CIP Update: Updated total future cost from $656,000 to $675,000 based on current project estimates. Anticipate that $300,000 of the project will be funded by the Village of Oregon. Removed federal grant funding (CDS dollars may be spent on other projects prior to this project moving forward). Village of Oregon must complete conveyance channel project through Lerner Conservation Park, before upstream improvement may proceed. Separated costs for permitting/design and accelerated to 2024 with construction remaining in 2025. 2025-2034 CIP Update: Revised construction year from 2025 to 2027. Construction cost increased from $600,000 to $700,000 to reflect rising construction costs. Anticipated that the Village of Oregon will fund half the construction cost as assumed previously. Project cannot commence until a conveyance channel is constructed through Lener Park in the Village of Oregon, which has not yet been completed. 2026-2035 CIP Update Council Amendment: Delay project from 2027 to 2031. The project is included in the City's 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) As of June 25, 2026, further details have not yet been identified *Project information has been obtained through a public capital improvement plan (CIP). A CIP is a financial schedule for short- and long-range projects which is updated regularly. Information listed in the CIP often evolves based on funding availability and the project details, including timeline and value, are subject to change. The content management team will continue to pursue additional details as they become available.