Water-bill rates in increase next year in Scott City

Scott City residents soon will see an increase in their water bills.

Like many cities in the surrounding area, Scott City has to adjust its ammonia rates, causing them to build a new sewer lagoon system to be in compliance with the restriction.

"[The lagoon project is] costing us somewhere between $2 [million] and $4 [million] but closer to $3 [million] and $4 million dollars," Scott City administrator Ron Eskew said.

The city has four years to get within the regulations, with nine months of their first year already passed. In the next few months the city council will be hearing from Rich Cochran, an engineer at Waters Engineering Inc. in Sikeston, Missouri, with some proposed preliminary plans.

"[Missouri's Department of Natural Resources] told us that they lowered the ammonia limits, same thing happened in Cape and in Jackson, everywhere, and so we have to get into compliance with those new ammonia limits," Eskew said. "And we have four years to do that ... a year for design, a year for funding options and then a year for construction, making us in compliance within four years."

Mayor Tim Porch explained the approximately $3.5 million lagoon project is inevitable, and it is going to be paid for with a bond, which will have to be paid through water and sewer bills.

"To avert four years from now doubling or tripling our bill, we're looking to slowly increase, and we need to," Porch explained.

Right now the minimum water sewer and trash bill for Scott City residents is $26.40, Eskew said, and normally, water and sewer should be more than a cable bill, which runs between $40 and $80.

"Two years ago we were charging 20 cents per 100 gallons and we went up to 25 cents per 100 gallon, so it was a pretty good increase -- but that was two years ago, and that's the first time in 15 years," Porch said. "So DNR is always on our case to get our prices up. If you compare water rates with the areas around us, we're one of the lowest."

The city council did not decide on a percent increase at Monday's meeting, but Porch thought the water rate increase would happen in February or March.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the condemnation of a residence at 802 Fourth St. East. According to city attorney Francis J. Siebert, the house is dilapidated, unsafe and unsanitary.

The council is about two-thirds of the way through with condemnation proceedings on the house, Porch said, and with the approval of owners James Merritt and Douglas Parson he hopes to have it demolished or rebuilt.

The council is waiting 30 days, in which time the owners can repair the home, and after that period the council will be accepting bids to demolish it.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Scott City City Hall, 215 Chester Ave.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Pertinent address:

215 Chester Ave., Scott City, Mo.