CITY PLANS SEWER WORK WITH NO ADDITIONAL TAX

Sewers are not very exciting to talk about. Most of us take sewers for granted -- until a problem occurs. Cape Girardeau is trying to drum up interest in sewers before problems arise.

The city is completing $25 million of sewer improvements approved by voters in 1994. The quarter-cent sales tax passed overwhelmingly. A priority was to separate storm and sanitary sewers in the older parts of the city. That work is mostly completed.

There still are more sewer projects to be completed, and the city has the money to pay for them. The quarter-cent sales tax won't expire until 2015. But the city needs voter approval to issue bonds to pay for the new work.

Why does the city need more bonds for sewer improvements? The city has launched an educational campaign to answer these questions. City officials are taking the message to civic clubs, organizations and others who request it.

Rising labor costs play a role in the need for more bonds along with expanding the scope of the project. It has been determined that more work is needed.

The city has also seen project estimates that missed the mark by as much as 17 percent. Southeast Missouri State University and the Cape Girardeau School District have found themselves in similar situations. These distorted estimates have proved frustrating for both officials and taxpayers.

The city wants to take advantage of the State Revolving Loan Fund Bonds, which would be more cost effective. The council wants to issue $8.5 million in bonds for sewer work, which voters will consider Feb. 8.

There's a price to pay for progress, and that includes sewer work. The city staff has demonstrated a tangible need for additional sewer bonds. Taxpayers need to pay close attention to the city's educational campaign and ask questions. This is the time to become informed about the proposal.

The city is poised to complete a number of important sewer projects with no additional taxes. All it takes is continued community support on Feb. 8.