Cape voters overwhelmingly approve city pay plan for new wastewater plant

About 80 percent of Cape Girardeau voters -- more than 6,000 -- said yes Tuesday to two propositions that constitute the city's plan to generate $72 million to pay for a new wastewater treatment plant and a multitude of sewer line improvements.

But the most important number for voters was probably this one: $23.

That's the most the average monthly sewer charge will go up under the city's plan, with city officials asking residents for months to vote "yes for less." Under this plan, the overall average utility bill will increase from about $52.50 a month to $75.50 a month, depending upon water usage.

Proposition 1, which asked voters to extend a quarter-cent capital improvement sales tax, passed by 79.94 percent, or 6,078 votes. Proposition 2, which authorized $72 million in bonds, passed with 79.99 percent of the vote, or 6,048 votes. The sales tax revenue would be used to repay the bonds, under the city's proposal.

The new wastewater plant would be the biggest capital improvements project in the city's history.

Public Works director Tim Gramling said he was relieved by the overwhelming support that the final tally indicated.

"I think it basically shows that everybody who went out got the message we were trying to get across," he said.

Had voters said no to either or both of the issues, rate increases would have been anywhere from $25 to $31 more a month, he said. Gramling and other city officials say they have to build a new wastewater treatment plant regardless of voter approval and that they believe this just offers the most cost-effective, at least expensive, way to do it.

Several voters at the polls seemed less than enthused about voting for the propositions.

Paul Gerlach voted yes for both proposals, but he said he did so reluctantly. He questioned the judgment of city officials in what he saw as a problem that should have been addressed before now.

"But it seems like we really didn't have a choice," he said.

The city has said it has to build a new plant to come into compliance with state and federal standards that no longer allow untreated wastewater to be bypassed into the Mississippi River, which happens with the existing plant about 30 to 40 times a year.

Gramling said sentiments like Gerlach's are understandable.

"Nobody wants to see a bill they pay go up," he said. "But we're trying to do the best we can to make this have the least impact as we can. We feel like we've been put between a rock and a hard place with the regulatory agencies. In some ways, I can't blame them for that sentiment."

Design of the new plant is about 75 percent complete, and Gramling is hopeful construction will start near the public works building on Southern Expressway in about a year.

Mayor Harry Rediger said the charge for the Cape Girardeau City Council and city staff is to see if there are other cost savings that could reduce the rate increases to less than even $23 a month. He said he is hopeful that the cost of the overall project will ultimately be less than $72 million estimate.

"The rates will not be set until we know the figures are for the cost of the plant," Rediger said. "The voters gave us a mandate with the election. Our mandate back is to look at reducing the cost any way we can."

The new plant would replace the 52-year-old plant off South Sprigg Street.

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