$1.5 million bond issue for Delta residents

Residents of Delta will vote on a $1.5 million bond issue in the April election to combine and improve the city's waterworks and sewage systems.

According to language on the sample ballot, the city would retire the bonds within 35 years. Delta officials also have considered taking out low-interest loans to pay back a portion of the debt, said city attorney Frank Siebert.

"We're looking into a few low-interest loans and possibly grants the city might be eligible for that could help reduce user rates," he said.

Siebert said if the bond measure is passed, user rates for water and sewage services would go up, although the amount has not yet been determined.

Brian Strickland, owner of Strickland Engineering, the city's consulting engineer company, said the project would primarily be funded through user fees. Strickland also said the change in rates would depend on any grants or loans acquired through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program.

Strickland said updating the waterworks and sewage systems was not a matter of "if," but "when."

"Neither system has had significant upgrades in about 40 years," Strickland said. "Our water system is operating on just one well for supply and our sewer treatment system has a higher ammonia discharge than what is acceptable by DNR [Department of Natural Resources] standards."

Strickland said maintenance for the waterworks system would include closing off "dead end" water lines to provide better circulation through the system and installing a new backup well for emergencies.

For the sewage system, he said additional treatment processes would be put in place, if the bond issue is passed.

Delta city officials will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Delta Community Center to discuss with the public any questions surrounding the bond issue.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

211 E. State St., Delta, MO