Scott City sewer plant upgrades may cost up to $6.8 million

Scott City councilors heard from an engineer a wastewater treatment plant improvements would cost from $4.3 million to $6.8 million.

Rich Cochran, a senior engineer at Waters Engineering Inc. in Sikeston, Missouri, discussed plans to move forward on the project. Cochran said to proceed, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources needs Scott City to complete an anti-degradation study to test water quality so the city can put a bond issue on the ballot for the next election.

Cochran said funding from the agency will determine how much the bond issue will be. City councilors hope to get the bond issue on the ballot in April.

City administrator Ron Eskew discussed maintenance on streets. Councilors were asked to survey streets to determine which needed the most repairs. In addition to concrete repairs and a 1 1/2-inch asphalt overlay, Eskew priced a sealant for streets that need it.

Eskew said if the city seals all the roads requested, it would cost $238,385. Mayor Tim Porch was skeptical about using that much.

"I don't see it as being fiscally responsible if we spend two-thirds of our street money on something we've never tried before," Porch said.

He suggested Eskew and Public Works director Jack Rasnic re-evaluate which streets should be sealed. Porch said spending between $60,000 and $70,000 on sealant was more reasonable.

Eskew said sealing roads would cut maintenance, possibly to every five to seven years.

Councilman Mike Ellison suggested sealing 20 percent of the roads each year, with a rotation every five years.

Other business

Scott City Police Lt. Casey Dodd spoke to the council about raises for two reserve dispatchers. Robbie Ralph was given a raise to $10.50 an hour, and LaDonna Beard was approved for $10 an hour. Councilman Randy Morse recommended reserve employees be evaluated each year for raises by their department heads.

Fire Chief Jay Cassout spoke about needing more volunteer firefighters and the possibility of paying more firefighters to work for the department. He urged council members to recruit people.

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pertinent address:215 Chester Ave., Scott City