Water issue passes in Scott Co.

BENTON, Mo. -- Rural voters in Scott County have taken the next crucial step in creating a rural public water supply.

They voted 498 to 148 Tuesday in favor of a $25 million bond issue to finance the construction of Public Water Supply District No. 4. The district will serve all Scott County residents not currently served by a public water supply, and the bond will be retired entirely through user fees.

Water district engineer John Chittenden has said at least 1,000 users need to sign on for the district, about twice the number who voted to approve funding. Already more than 350 have signed on, but an ideal situation would require more than 2,000 of the possible 3,700 customers to sign on, he said.

Water district president Phil Lyon said the board of directors is pleased with the results despite the low turnout. Because of financial constraints, the water district's recruiting and informational efforts have so far been concentrated in the southern part of the county.

In the April election, 790 people voted to form the district.

Many of those southern precincts voted overwhelmingly for the district, while the vote was closer in more northern precincts.

"With a lot of those who voted against it, we have to believe they just didn't understand the issue," said Lyon. "Many people see the word bond and they think taxes."

The county commission, along with the rural school district of Kelly and Scott County Central, have been vocal supporters of the water district.

"I think it's a real good thing for the county, and I think in time most people will feel like that," said Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel. "This is something I wish we already had."

The county generally has a shallow water table, resulting in hard water and the potential for contamination of private wells.

Supporters say the district will help raise property values, increase fire protection and help bring new business and residents to the county's rural areas.

Lyon said the next step will be to increase recruitment efforts, especially in the northern part of the county, and possibly a letter campaign. If enough users are signed on, construction could begin in 2007.