Category: General

April 30, 2025 Tree Planting

Letter from the Mayor

July 2, 2025

City of Oconto Water Quality

     There have been numerous comments circulating on Facebook regarding the quality of our city’s water, with some posts suggesting that the water is unsafe or undrinkable. I want to take a moment to directly address these concerns and provide clear, factual information to our community.

     The City of Oconto’s water is safe, clean, and meets all state and federal drinking water standards. Our water is tested regularly and thoroughly to ensure the health and safety of all residents. The annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as the Water Quality Report, can be found on the City’s website here: https://cityofoconto.com/general/2024-consumer-confidence-report/. This report details the results of our water testing and confirms that our water is compliant with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

     The health and well-being of our community is our top priority. If there were ever an issue with water safety, we would notify residents immediately and take all necessary actions to resolve the situation.

     We understand that social media can be a powerful tool for communication, but it can also unintentionally spread misinformation. If you ever have questions or concerns about city services, including water quality, I encourage you to reach out directly to City Hall or visit our official website.

Oconto Utility Rate Case

     I also want to take a moment to address several concerns raised during and following the recent public hearing regarding the 2025 Utility Rate Case.

     First, we have heard the feedback from residents about the timing of the public hearing notice. While I want to assure you that the notice was properly issued in accordance with the Public Service Commission (PSC) regulations, and all statutory requirements were met, the Judge did recognize the concerns shared by the public. As a result, the public comment period has been extended from July 3 to July 15, 2025. Customers can submit their comments either by mail or online through the PSC’s website. Your input is important and will be taken into consideration.

     If you need more information on how to submit your comments to the PSC, please reach out to the Utility Manager, Matthew Beekman, and he will help you with this process.

     Second, I’d like to provide clarity on the purpose of the rate case. The Oconto Utility Commission did not file for a rate case seeking to raise utility rates. This filing was submitted solely to request a change in tariff language. For the past 35+ years, we have consistently billed for public fire protection in a way that we believe reflects fairness. We do not bill homeowners public fire protection for both their primary parcel and their adjacent vacant lot. We believe it is unfair and unjust to charge additional fees for adjacent vacant parcels that clearly serve no separate use and are part of the homeowner’s property.

     We are currently going through an appeal process with PSC to protect our residents. PSC is regulating that we charge ALL vacant parcels public fire protection, even those adjacent to the homeowner’s main parcel that they already pay fire protection on. A part of this regulation is requiring us to back-bill every vacant parcel for 2 years. We have not billed adjacent parcels in the past and we are changing the language to not have to bill them in the future. In the appeal, we are asking not to be required to back-bill at all.

     Unfortunately, during the public hearing, a figure of 28% was mentioned. This is an error. Utility Manager Matthew Beekman corrected this error early in the rate case process as it does not reflect the Utility’s position or the nature of this rate case. It should not have been referenced during the hearing and does not represent our intentions. The Utility is not asking for a change in rates, only a language change, any change in rates is a directive from the PSC.

     Our goal remains simple: to protect our residents from unfair billing practices and to ensure consistency and transparency in how utility charges are applied. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and engagement as we work through this process.

Regards,

Cliff Martin

Mayor City of Oconto

Posted and Mailed 06/25/2025

PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL CUSTOMERS OF THE OCONTO UTILITY COMMISSION

The Oconto Utility Commission (Utility) has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (Commission) to adjust water rates. The Utility’s last water conventional rate case was completed in 2012. The total decrease in water revenues requested is $36,156 which will result in an estimated overall rate decrease of 3.27 percent over the water utility’s present revenues.

If the request is granted, the water bill for an average Residential customer with a ¾-inch or ¾­inch meter who uses 1,200 cubic feet per quarter will increase from $107.64 to $112.89, or 4.88 percent including the public fire protection charge.

A public hearing on the application has been scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 11 :00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Oconto City Hall, 1210 Main Street or on Zoom.

To comment at the hearing, a member of the public may either:

(1)          Attend any physical location as noticed for this session; or

(2)          Join Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings

If no adequate internet connection exists, join Zoom by telephone. Dial: +1 312 626 6799

Enter Meeting ID: 809 513 2930

Parties and Commission staff shall either:

(1)          Attend any physical location as noticed for this session; or

(2)          Join Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings

The Commission intends to livestream and record this hearing on YouTube. To access the livestream, go to the Commission’s website at http://psc.wi.gov, click the dropdown menu labeled “News & Events”, select the item labeled “Commission Calendar”, navigate to the hearing for docket number 4350-WR-104, and select the “Stream Video” link that appears under “Observe”.

A person may testify in this proceeding without becoming a party and without attorney representation. A person may submit this testimony in only one of the following ways:

• Web Comment. File a comment on the internet. Go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, and click the dropdown menu labeled “Commission Actions”. Select the item labeled “File a Public Comment”. On the next page select the “File a comment” link that appears for docket number 4350-WR-104. Web comments shall be received no later than Thursday, July 3, 2025.

• Live Comment. Make a live comment at the hearing. The ALJ may receive live comments from any member of the public in attendance after the close of any party and Commission staff testimony. The ALJ will receive such comments by stating the name of each member of the public connected to the hearing one at a time and asking if they would like to comment.

•Mail Comment. Send a comment by U.S. Mail. All comments submitted by U.S. Mail shall be received no later than Thursday, July 3, 2025 and shall be addressed to: Attn: Docket 4350-WR-104 Comments, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854.

To access the documents, schedule, and other information about this docket, go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, select the dropdown menu labeled “eServices”. Select the item labeled “Docket Search (CMS)”. On the next page enter 4350-WR-104 in the spaces labeled “Case #” and select “Search”.

If you have any questions, please contact the Oconto Utility Commission at 920-834-7719.

2024 Consumer Confidence Report: click HERE

Understanding your CCR: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/public/understanding_ccr.html

Saturday, June 28, 2025

from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Please join us for an Open House at the Copper Culture Museum at Copper Culture State Park in Oconto, WI. We want to share the newly refreshed building and exhibits with the community on Saturday, June 28, from 10am to 4pm.  The Park and the Museum are always free to the public.  There will be a refreshments tent and an Ancient Native American Artifacts Identification table in the front garden.  Area artifact collectors are invited to bring items from their collection for review.  The 125^th Anniversary of the Wisconsin State Parks system will also be celebrated. 

Archaeological findings about the Old Copper Complex (as it is now known to archaeologists) over the last 20 years have been incorporated into the new exhibits which focus on the lifeways of ancient people of the northeast Wisconsin thousands of years ago.  The burials at the Oconto Site are direct prehistoric ancestors of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.  According to American Archaeology, Spring 2025, Vol.29 No.1, new evidence supports the probability that the Copper Culture people were the earliest known metallurgists in the western hemisphere, but also one of the earliest, if not the earliest, in the world.  The Oconto (archaeological) Site is one of only a handful of similar sites in the Upper Great Lakes region and is the only one with a museum dedicated to telling the story of these prehistoric people.   

The Copper Culture Museum is open Daily 10am to 4pm, from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, and by appointment to small groups during the spring and fall.  The Museum is housed in the charming, intricately bricked farmhouse, built by Charles Werrebroeck over 100 years ago in the traditional, Old World Belgian style.  The beautiful Oconto milled maple floors have been preserved, and the double-sided fireplace has been thoughtfully enhanced using hand painted panels by local artist Bruce Retzlaff. The Museum is operated under the auspices of the Oconto County Historical Society. 

🎾 Exciting News! 🎾

6/2/2025

Sharp Park Tennis Court is officially installed and ready for action!

The City of Oconto staff is always working to enhance our community spaces and promote healthy, active living. We can’t wait to see friends and families making memories, rallying under the sun, and enjoying the beautiful parks this Summer.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just picking up the sport, grab your rackets, lace up your sneakers, and head over to Sharp Park to enjoy the tennis court!

Free Outdoor Movies Return to Joel’s Reel Inn — A Summer Tradition with Heart

OCONTO, WI — Summer nights in Oconto are about to get a whole lot brighter. Joel’s Reel Inn, located at 400 Holtwood Way, is once again hosting its beloved free outdoor movie series, bringing families, friends, and neighbors together under the stars for a season of classic films, themed fun, and community spirit.

More than just a movie night, Joel’s Reel Inn is a labor of love. Organized by Sue Anderson, the series is held in honor of her late son, Joel, as a way to keep his memory alive through laughter, togetherness, and community connection. “This is my way to remember Joel and give back to a community that’s meant so much to our family,” Sue shared. “It’s about joy, togetherness, and creating memories—just like Joel would have wanted.”

This year’s lineup is packed with family favorites and a couple of laugh-out-loud classics for adults:

2025 Movie Schedule:

• June 20 – Monster Trucks
• July 4 – Dennis the Menace
• July 11 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Christmas in July)
• July 25 – The Great Outdoors (Adult Night)
• August 1 – Moana 2 (Dress Hawaiian)
• August 8 – Pixels
• August 15 – Weekend at Bernie’s (Adult Night)
• August 22 – Goonies
• August 29 – Dr. Dolittle

(Rain dates are the following evening. All movies begin at dusk.)
*Alternate titles in case of technical difficulties: Mrs. Doubtfire, Heavy Weights, Mr. Popper’s Penguins.

Fresh popcorn and refreshments will be available for purchase at every showing—so come hungry!

The movie area at Joel’s Reel Inn isn’t just for public showings—it’s also available to rent for birthday parties, private events, and special gatherings, offering a one-of-a-kind outdoor entertainment experience.

New this year: Look for the event flag at Freedom Park, by the clock on Main Street (formerly at City Hall), signaling movie night is a go!

Follow Joel’s Reel Inn on Facebook for updates, weather announcements, and theme night details. Come for the movies, stay for the memories—and be a part of a summer tradition rooted in love, legacy, and laughter.

May 26, 2025

The Parade will be Monday, May 26^th, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. Starting at City Hall and proceeding down Main Street towards Evergreen Cemetery.

A Weather decision will be made Friday, May 22^nd – if bad weather we will move to the High

School at 10:30 a.m. and conduct the ceremony inside – starting at 11:00 a.m.

If bad weather and you are not sure – call John Nowak @ 920-401-9687 (Cellcom)