La Crosse rejects over-budget bids for accessible water bubblers, advances WWTP UV upgrade

La Crosse rejects over-budget bids for accessible water bubblers, advances WWTP UV upgradeThe city council voted to reject initial bids for ADA-compliant water bubblers to reconfigure the proposal for better pricing, while also approving consent items to reimburse a sanitary sewer UV disinfection project through the Clean Water Fund.

Council members unanimously rejected bids for the placement of accessible water bubblers after proposals came in over budget.

The city will reconfigure the bid proposal to maximize the number of installations, utilizing a decorative design based on a 3D scan of older bubblers.

The council approved a resolution declaring intent to reimburse expenditures for a UV disinfection upgrade at the wastewater treatment plant using a Clean Water Fund Loan.

Additional approved consent items included special assessments for noncompliant sewer lateral reconstruction.

The La Crosse Common Council voted unanimously on August 13, 2026, to reject bids for its Accessible Water Bubblers project after proposals exceeded budget estimates. The city plans to reconfigure the bid to secure better pricing and maximize the number of installations. Director Gallagher explained to the council that the city has one month to adjust the proposal. The revised plan features a decorative option created from a 3D scan of the city's older bubblers, updated with an ADA-compliant arm, strike plates, and accessible faucet orientation, which was recently approved by the Board of Public Works. Gallagher noted the city may potentially add funds after the contract is executed if needed to support the project. In separate water infrastructure actions, the council approved several items via its consent agenda. Most notably, this included a resolution declaring official intent to reimburse expenditures from the Clean Water Fund Loan Program for a UV disinfection upgrade at the city's wastewater treatment plant. The council also authorized public improvements and levied special assessments for noncompliant sewer lateral reconstruction, as well as for non-compliant utility services at 10th and King Street. Additionally, the council officially received the La Crosse Water Utility Year-End 2025 Annual Report to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin.