Municipal Utilities
For over 50 years, our attorneys have worked with municipal utilities on the legal issues they face in providing utility service to the public. We have the knowledge and experience to assist municipal utilities in all aspects of their operation from initial formation through dissolution, and everything in between. As legal counsel to several municipal utility trade associations, we know the issues municipal utilities face.
Types of Municipal Utilities
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Electric
Municipal electric utilities regulated by the PSC.
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Wastewater
Wastewater utilities operated by municipalities and sanitary districts.
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Water
Municipal water utilities that are regulated by the PSC and DNR.
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Stormwater
Utilities operated by municipalities to fund stormwater requirements.
Municipal Utility Services
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Contract Negotiations
Pole attachment agreements, territorial agreements, water tower license agreements, and asset transfer agreements.
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Environmental
Regulatory compliance, permitting, and contamination.
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Governance
Including policy development; open records and open meetings law guidance; and conflicts of interest.
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Intergovernmental Relations
Service agreements, boundary agreements, and territorial issues.
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Labor and Employment
All phases and aspects of hiring, training, managing, terminating and litigating with respect to public sector employees.
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Litigation
Representation in front of state and federal regulatory bodies, as well as contract disputes.
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Project Development
Negotiation of long-term and short-term power supply agreements (including EEI and NAEMA tariff agreements), wholesale water supply agreements, renewable energy project agreements, and asset purchase and sale agreements.
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Public Construction
Bidding, bonding, construction agreements, engineer/architect agreements, permitting, and compliance with federal grant regulations.
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Utility Regulation
Including regulated electric and water utilities, and unregulated wastewater and stormwater utilities.
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Real Estate and Land Use
Offers to purchase and sell, options, land contracts, tax and finance, due diligence reviews, land use and development, zoning changes and variances, and declarations and easements.
