SCHOOL FORUM DRAWS CROWD; FEW ATTEND CITY MEETING; CITY HOPES VOTERS INFORMED ON SEWER WORK

Mack Estes knows improvements to the city's sewer system will bring added value to his property and peace of mind to his neighbors.

Estes lives on Meadow Lane in an area of the city plagued by stormwater and wastewater runoff problems. He and his neighbors will benefit from $500,000 in proposed improvements to the city's sanitary sewer system.

"It's not just for me but the entire community," he said. "It will help the area and everybody."

The improvements in the Ranchito-Arena watershed area are only part of an $8.5 million proposed sewer bond issue. City voters will decide Feb. 8 whether to authorize the city to continue its sewer improvement program. The bond revenue election is the only issue on the ballot.

With single-issue elections, voters are generally more reluctant to come out, but when they do they are often better educated about the issue, said City Manager Michael Miller.

Miller and three city staff members presented information about the sewer bond revenue election Thursday night at the Osage Community Centre. Four others attended.

Officials say the city needs the bond revenue now to continue three sewer improvement projects and to make additional improvements to the wastewater treatment center and replace old sewer trunk lines and force mains and lift stations along the Mississippi River. The project also includes adding sewers in an area of the city that has never had service before.

The projects would be paid for with an existing quarter-cent capital-improvements sales tax passed in 1994. The tax was originally used to fund $25 million in sanitary sewer improvements.

But only nine of the 12 proposed projects were completed with that money. However, all six of the projects involving separation of stormwater and sanitary sewer lines were completed.

Not enough money exists to finish the remaining projects, said Miller.

If passed, the bond revenue will be sufficient to pay for the projects without creating any tax increase or extension. The tax will expire in 2020.

The estimated revenue from the tax is $16.3 million. Estimates, which account for both inflation and interest, for the proposed projects are $15.5 million. About $4 million remains of the original bond issue revenue.

"We need the bonding to do all the work now," Miller said. Officials estimate that the projects could be completed within three to four years with the bonding authority instead of the 20 years it would take if the tax revenue had to be collected before any work was done.

The city hopes to secure a State Revolving Loan Fund bond to fund the projects. The bonds offer lower interest and a $5.1 million cost savings to the city.

If the bond issue fails, the city likely will pay for the projects as money is available.

Another meeting on the sewer bond election is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.