WILLMAR — The Willmar City Council on Sept. 15 approved the 2026 Willmar Municipal Utilities budget after hearing a presentation from Utilities General Manager Jeron Smith. ADVERTISEMENTWillmar Municipal Utilities General Manager Jeron Smith Jennifer Kotila / West Central TribuneThe 2026 capital budget for Willmar Municipal Utilities is a little more than $19 million, with the largest line item being approximately $12 million toward the construction of a new facility. The 2026 total projected operating revenues for both the water and electric divisions of Willmar Municipal Utilities is approximately $42.2 million, which is down approximately $854,000 from the estimated 2025 total operating revenues of approximately $43 million. “We’ve found it very valuable to look ahead like this and plan for the future.”ADVERTISEMENTThe Municipal Utilities Commission also set a policy to have a reserve of 50% of revenues at year-end. Smith acknowledged that Willmar Municipal Utilities is on the high end of suggested reserves, but that allows it to fund some of its projects with cash.