Marshfield Utilities Reviews Lead Service Progress, LED Upgrades, Solar Projects, and 2026 Budget Forecast

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!

The Marshfield Utilities Commission met on Monday afternoon to review operational updates, ongoing infrastructure projects, and long-term financial forecasts for the electric, water, and communications utilities. Commissioners received detailed reports from staff and heard a comprehensive presentation on four proposed behind-the-meter solar installations planned on utility-owned land.


Lead Service Replacements Near Completion
Staff reported the final planned lead service removal of the year was completed last Friday. While the utility set a goal of 200 replacements in 2024, crews successfully removed 194 public-side lead services along with 50 private-side lines. Only 53 private services remain, and fewer than 470 total lead services are left systemwide. If current progress continues, Marshfield is just over two years away from completing full lead service removal.


LED Streetlight Conversion Continues
The utility has now replaced 1,383 streetlight fixtures since the LED conversion project began in 2023. Only 555 overhead-style fixtures remain, along with 211 decorative black fixtures along Central Avenue, which are more costly to replace. Staff noted that newly installed LED lighting has already improved visibility and safety along Veterans Parkway and Central Avenue.

Solar Developer Outlines Four Utility-Scale Projects
Stanley Minnick of One Energy Renewables delivered a detailed presentation on four proposed solar projects planned in partnership with Great Lakes Utilities. All four projects would be built on land already owned by Marshfield Utilities. The projects are designed to lower long-term energy costs, diversify the local power supply, and provide environmental benefits.

Project highlights include:

• Marshfield 1 (near the substation): 2.5 MW, producing an estimated 5 million kWh annually—enough to power about 620 homes.
• McMillan & Galvin Site: 5 MW, roughly 10 million kWh annually, equivalent to 1,250 homes.
• Quarry-Area Site: 4 MW, about 1,000 homes’ energy use.
• Townline Road (T & Y): 5 MW, producing more than 10 million kWh annually, serving approximately 1,300 homes.
  
  

Minnick addressed questions on environmental protection, fencing, pollinator habitat planning, potential sheep grazing, and wetland and wellhead-protection requirements. All project sites are located outside the city limits, within either Wood or Marathon County.


Operations & Maintenance Budget Reviewed
Finance staff presented the second review of the 2026 operations and maintenance budget. Several expenses were reallocated to the communications utility following an internal review, with allocations typically ranging between 1% and 5% depending on cost type. The commission approved the O&M budget with no objections.


Capital Budget Approved
The Commission also approved the 2026 capital budget. The only change from the prior month involved adjusting the cost of network switch equipment. Significant focus remains on water system upgrades—including ongoing lead service removals—and electric substation projects that occur on multi-decade cycles.


Audit Work Statement Adopted
Commissioners unanimously approved the annual statement of work for audit services, clearing the way for auditors to begin their 2024 review. Only minor revisions from last year’s agreement were included.


Discussion on Dark Fiber Governance Policy
​The meeting concluded with discussion of a draft governance policy for the utility’s dark fiber network. The policy outlines cost-recovery, rate-setting, lease agreements, and annual rate review procedures. Commissioners asked questions about rate-of-return targets, customer equity, and long-term replacement planning. Further analysis and cost-of-service studies are expected before the policy returns for approval.

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