Eagle River City Council approves sewer rate increase, honors retiring staff

In the final Eagle River City Council meeting of 2025, city officials were busy passing the 2026 budget, honoring individuals retiring from their positions in the new year, and debating an increase to sewer rates.

To start her final meeting as Eagle River chief of police, Christine Dobbs was asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance before the council addressed agenda items.

After no questions or comments from meeting attendees, the council unanimously approved the 2026 budget. The budget included a 6.8% increase to the mill rate, which will moderately increase taxes for city residents.

Mike Sanborn, Eagle River Light and Water utility manager, asked for a 12% hike to sewer rates due to upcoming expenses paired with a loss in revenue from the Highway G Landfill which was passed by the council, although he indicated another rise could be coming down the pike to cover necessary costs.

According to Sanborn, the residential average bill is currently about $30 to $40 per month. With the 12% increase, prices would go up to $33.60/month for those paying $30, or $44.80 per month for those paying $40.

“We are on the low end for what we’re charging for sewer rates currently,” he said, adding, “It’s an expensive utility to maintain.”

Sanborn explained that a number of factors are playing into this increase, including maintenance projects on an aging sewer infrastructure and the loss of landfill revenue since the city is no longer accepting the leachate. The leachate now has to be transported to Medford due to PFAS contamination.

With the pending retirement in two to three years of a lead wastewater operator — something Sanborn called a “critical position” — he said there will likely be a significant overlap on training in that position which would mean more money needed.

“This is probably not the last rate increase we’re going to be discussing in 2026,” he said.

Alderman Jerry Burkett bristled at that, saying, “We kick the public once, not twice. I see no sense in 12% now, then another increase in six months.”

Burkett went on to indicate that many of the constituents in his district are on a fixed income and would be affected by additional rate increases. “My residents cannot afford 22% (increase). Let’s see what we can do (to keep costs down). Let’s take the next 30 days and explore other options, please,” he said.

The council passed the necessary 12% increase and will consider other options going forward.

Retirements

Three resolutions were read into the record regarding the retirements of Cindy Franz, Robert Mignon and Christine Dobbs.

Sanborn recognized both Franz, a utility clerk with Eagle River Light and Water, and Mignon, electric foreman, for their years of service.

Upon her final day on Jan. 13, 2026, Franz will have served for 32 years, starting her position in May of 1994. Mignon was employed with the city for 12 years, from November 2014 and also will retire on Jan. 13.

City Administrator Robin Ginner also recognized Police Chief Christine Dobbs’ 33 years of an “outstanding career” in service to the safety and wellbeing of the community.

Dobbs took a moment to thank her family who was in attendance to watch the proclamation before offering an apology to her children.

“To my children, they have 30-something years of late holidays and missed high school programs — that is something, as a mother, I want to apologize for. But the community, I love the community,” she said.

Dobb’s final day will be Dec. 31, after which Assistant Chief Tyler Salvinski will take over duties as chief beginning in the new year.

Impact fees

After looking at the checklist of requirements to implement the impact fees for large developments discussed at last month’s meeting, the council decided that they would drop the issue for now and instead forge an agreement with parties involved when the time came for the expected construction of the 10-parcel development of Riverside Park.

Ginner was responsible for researching the requirements and rules associated with these fees, and indicated it would be beyond her abilities alone and outside help would need to be hired. She estimated it would take approximately six months to implement.

Alderman Vic Washelesky urged the council to set up a simple agreement with the developer, saying the implementation of impact fees “seemed like overkill.”

Burkett was originally in favor of impact fees, but ultimately decided they could come up with “something agreeable” for all parties to cover future road construction costs that may be required should the building project move forward. He also recommended the possibility of forming an ad-hoc committee. More discussion will take place at a later date.

Other actions

Council members took action on a number of other topics during the Dec. 9 meeting, including:

— Re-appointing Dave Eibner for another four-year term on the Light and Water Utility Commission;

— Paying the Unified Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes Commission’s 2025 final project cost of $1,720;

— Approving permits for the World Championship Derby Complex’s upcoming Vintage and World Championship derby events and the World Series of Snowmobiling;

— Approving use of a burn barrel for two to three Sno-Eagles Snowmobile Club trailside barbecue events during the upcoming snowmobiling season at the farmer’s market location (dates TBD);

— Granting liquor, and operator’s licenses and a direct sales permit to area businesses and individuals;

— Approving the Community Square reservation contract;

— Appointing 2026-27 election inspectors; and

— Approving employee manual updates, payment of bills for the city and golf course, and the closure of Nicolet Bank account 0001 and the transfer of funds to a higher-earning account.