JACKSON PROPOSES SEWER BOND REPAYMENT

JACKSON -- Jackson residents who currently pay sewer bills of $9.48 per month would pay $14.28 per month under a proposed sewer user charge system that would go into effect in 2001.

Sixty-four percent of Jackson sewage system customers use 4,500 gallons of water or less per month. The charge for 4,500 gallons of use currently is $9.48 per month.

The proposed increase would pay off the $7.4 million in sewer bonds approved by Jackson voters nearly two years ago. The bonds are financing a two-stage wastewater system improvement project to get under construction next year.

The city's current minimum charge per month is $3 with a $1.85 flow charge. The flow charge equals the cost per 1,000 gallons after the first 1,000 gallons.

If a single increase is imposed, the minimum charge would go up to $4.30 with the flow charge at $2.85.

The new rates also could be phased in with two increases, first to a $3.10 minimum charge and $1.90 flow charge, later to a $4.35 minimum charge and a $2.95 flow charge.

A third alternative is for a scaled payback which would allow population growth to pay back more of the bonds on the back end. Under this system, the minimum charge would go to $4.25 per month and the flow charge would increase to $2.90 per month.

The plan was presented to the Jackson Board of Aldermen during a public hearing Monday night. "These are the rates the city needs to charge to fund the revenue bonds," said Bently C. Green, a senior environmental project engineer for the St. Louis engineering firm of Horner & Shifrin.

The board will take no immediate action on the proposal. But a repayment plan is required in order for the city to access money from the State Revolving Fund. Using the fund is expected to save the city $3 million in interest on the combined $10.2 million sewer and water project.

The sewer increases would pay off the bonds after the year 2020. The plan allows for the operating budget of the system to increase 2 percent per year.

In other business, the board:

-- Approved paying an additional $1,300 to Hastings & Chivetta Architects for an artist's rendering of the city's proposed multipurpose building. Alderman Dave Reiminger voted against the payment, saying the rendering should have been included in the original cost of the contract.

Jackson Board of Aldermen

7:30 p.m. Monday, July 19

City Hall

Public hearings

-- Held hearing to consider the proposed Sewer User Charge System for the city.

-- Held hearing to consider the request for voluntary annexation of property owned by the Jackson Jaycee Charitable Foundation Inc.

-- Held hearing to consider the request for voluntary annexation of property owned by Narvol A. Randol Jr. and Amy Randol.

Action items

Power and Light Committee

-- Approved the semi-annual financial statement ending June 30 and publish in the local newspaper.

-- Accepted the audit report for the year ended Dec. 31, 1998, prepared by Beussink, Hey and Roe, certified public accountants.

-- Authorized advertisement for bids for the boring and placement of underground duct and/or electrical conductors.

-- Rejected an ordinance amending Chapter 20, Article III, Section 20-807 and 20-080 of the Code of Ordinances relative to out-of-district sewer connection fees (tabled July 6).

-- Extended a contractual agreement with Hastings & Chivetta Architects Inc. relative to authorizing additional expenditures for an artist's rendering of proposed facility under the Multipurpose Building Feasibility Study Contract.

Street Committee

-- Approved a motion to set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, to consider the 1999 tax rate.

-- Approved the final plat of Walton Subdivision as submitted by Wal-mart Stores East Inc. contingent upon receipt and acceptance of deed (tabled July 6).

-- Authorized a contractual agreement with Narvol A. Randol Jr. relative to the transfer of property and contingent upon receipt and acceptance of deed from Wal-mart Stores East Inc. (tabled July 6).

-- Approved a special use permit for the establishment and operation of a professional office, medical or dental clinic in an R-3 (general residential) district at 1556 Orchard Drive.

-- Approved a special use permit for the establishment and operation of a professional office, medical or dental clinic in an R-3 (general residential) district at 1504 Orchard Drive.

-- Approved a special use permit for the establishment and operation of a professional office, medical or dental clinic in an R-3 (general residential) district at 522 Broadridge Drive. The permit was amended to delete a requirement to build sidewalks.

-- Approved Pay Request #6 to Penzel Construction Co. Inc., in the amount of $41,236.76 under the Bridge No. U2150001 (Old Cape Road Bridge) Contract.