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5.4 Wage & Benefits Committee - Proposed 2026 Adjustments <br />Mr. Hanson shared that he had received the final wage adjustment data from a peer <br />municipal utility that was unavailable when his memo was published. After factoring in the <br />final adjustment, which was at the lower end of its expected range, the overall average is on <br />the lower end of the range presented in November; thus, staff requested a 3.34% wage <br />adjustment for all staff in 2026. <br />Moved by Commissioner Stewart and seconded by Commissioner Zerwas to approve <br />the 2026 Wage Adjustment of 3.34% for all staff, effective January 1, 2026. Motion <br />carried 5-0. <br />6.0 BUSINESS DISCUSSION <br />6.1 Staff Updates <br />Mr. Hanson reported on an ongoing issue with a commercial property owner, with a history of <br />non-payment, who has non-functional water curb stops. The vacant building has no heat <br />source as gas service has also been turned off and it is unable to receive electricity due to code <br />violations. Staff has been monitoring the temperatures of the lines but to mitigate the risk of <br />pipes freezing, ERMU is hiring a contractor to repair the curb stops so the water can be shut <br />off. The property owner will be assessed for the work. Mr. Hanson added that legal staff <br />approves of this approach. <br />Mr. Mauren reminded the Commission of the special meeting scheduled for December 18. The <br />meeting was scheduled largely to approve the finalized budget and rates now that staff has <br />received guidance from the Commission on the rate study earlier in the meeting. <br />Mr. Ninow informed the Commission that the Utilities, with assistance from a consultant and <br />the Minnesota Department of Health, have updated the service line material inventory list. As <br />required, notification letters were sent to all properties with service lines listed as <br />"unidentified" and to approximately 30 properties with galvanized service lines that require <br />replacement. <br />6.2 City Council Update <br />Chair Dietz provided a city council update. <br />6.3 Future Planni <br />Chair Dietz announced the following: <br />a. Special Commission Meeting— December 18, 2025, 3:30 p.m., Utilities Conference <br />Room <br />b. Regular Commission Meeting —January 13, 2026 <br />Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Meeting Minutes <br />December 9, 2025 <br />Page 5 <br />