[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6210502,"mediaKeyId","3718355-b775d338ae6b336456f6c0afe8afd2a7","parentId",3718355,"title","Meridian weighs $144.5 million water‑sewer capital plan and three rate options, no vote taken","audioSeconds",1152,"startMs",420940,"endMs",1573130,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718355-b775d338ae6b336456f6c0afe8afd2a7&start=420&end=1573","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718355-b775d338ae6b336456f6c0afe8afd2a7/thumbnail_420940.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6210502/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/Meridian-weighs-1445-million-watersewer-capital-plan-and-three-rate-options-no-vote-taken","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210502-75fe3c2dd668c789dafe0d82e14ced0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776255048&Signature=BCE4BA1SnCiRmE99ujg15WD3CtMrame-PDvjXp2OAwFC1RyaXUMil0Hq-7AHKBkaczYm~B7ndIghjLzbWZXXn6CZNtyeetUfekgPprceDKDvwrcV~tnT36xPTbVPfaUsam514aYdPGGNiEgHvPrqqZXkhO1xiYQbRfLy4WVLW6lAK5egOzdj-VMk2mh5nH8BemNCIqofufSMZ~NC9tDtpGJcJ997OWNVEkOxUaZiOGPLkxMP5F8ha1pQHESOQlRsKx-0AmU4jRzVkEOvkzecrShopvrgcqnVMfzFNzCrIfNGTTjETtW6DIV1AqWWYHFkMhWnphNANhXj7Fy2fJryXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Meridian","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","Meridian — City consultants told the Meridian City Council on June 3 that the city must raise more revenue to pay for a $144,500,000 water and sewer capital improvement plan tied largely to regulatory requirements and a consent decree, and presented three financing scenarios for council guidance. Piper Brandt of Raftelis said the options were “things for the council to think about and we’re gonna need to take some action in the coming months, but there’s no action that’s gonna need to be taken today.”

Why it matters: the projects are intended to reduce sanitary sewer overflows, meet evolving EPA treatment standards and maintain safe drinking water and wastewater treatment. Brandt said the planned capital program would require multiple bond issues and substantially higher annual debt service beginning in fiscal 2026, and that Meridian must set rates to generate the revenue to cover operating costs, existing debt service (about $4.6 million now) and the new debt service for the CIP.

Raftelis outlined three scenarios: (1A) implement immediately a capital‑recovery fee (meter‑based) and reduce annual general rate increases to 7.5%; (1B) phase the capital‑recovery fee in over two years with a one‑year 9% increase followed by 7.5% increases; or (2) keep the status‑quo 9% annual increases and accept that the city would only be able to fund roughly 75% (about $108 million) of the CIP. Brandt described the capital‑recovery fee under option 1A as $3 per month for water and $10 per month for sewer for a five‑eighths‑inch meter, scaled higher for larger meters; the phased option would start at $1.50/$5 and reach $3/$10 in year two.

On customer impact, Brandt presented Raftelis’ model showing a large up‑front impact under the full fee option but smaller annual increases later; she said the firm’s example typical residential customer using 3,000 gallons would see a per‑day increase of about 52–53 cents under the full capital‑recovery approach. The consultants also showed that continuing only the current 9% annual increases would produce a multi‑year deficit and leave some planned projects unfunded unless the city reduced its capital plan.

Timing and next steps: consultants said the financing team expects to refine a recommendation after the council gives staff policy guidance and to complete bond issuance documents if the council chooses financing; Raftelis and the municipal advisor indicated a target of preparing for a late‑November closing on the first revenue bond issue, with the first additional debt service appearing in FY2026 (city fiscal year is Oct. 1–Sept. 30). Nnamdi Thompson of Government Consultants Incorporated, the city’s municipal advisor, introduced the presentation and framed the session as an initial discussion.

Council action tied to system projects: although the council did not adopt rates on June 3, members approved a separate, related procurement: an order authorizing task order number 5 with Kimberly Horn & Associates for design and construction engineering services for potable water supply improvements, phase 1 (a 1,400‑gallon‑per‑minute groundwater well), at $663,600. City staff said the well site under consideration is at Phil Hardin Park on city‑owned property and estimated installation would take about 18–24 months because of high market demand for well contractors.

The council also approved emergency declarations to repair a ruptured freshwater line at 17th Avenue and B Street and to repair a failed high‑service pump (pump No. 3) at the B Street Freshwater Plant; staff reported the pump had been repaired and returned to service the prior day.

What’s next: consultants asked the council to provide direction on which path to pursue so staff can finalize the rate model and bring a formal recommendation and rate ordinance for council approval at a later meeting. No formal rate action or ordinance vote occurred on June 3.

Quote: “We are having to do this because the regulatory agencies are requiring us to do it,” Piper Brandt said, summarizing why the capital program is necessary. Nnamdi Thompson introduced the item as municipal advisor and framed the session as a presentation and initial discussion.

Ending: Council members and staff said they will review the scenarios, ask for additional modeling if needed, and return with a finalized recommendation and bond‑issuance documents if the council selects a financing path. The consultants noted the plan can be revisited annually; Brandt recommended revisiting the model each year as conditions change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Meridian City Council Meeting 06/03/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Meridian — City consultants told the Meridian City Council on June 3 that the city must raise more revenue to pay for a $144,500,000 water and sewer capital improvement plan tied largely to regulatory requirements and a consent decree, and presented three financing scenarios for council guidance.","taxTitle","Meridian, Lauderdale County, Mississippi","taxId",55952,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6210497,"Residents press Meridian council on nighttime truck noise, dispatch response and overgrowth; staff offers follow‑up",712,3311860,4024315,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3718355-b775d338ae6b336456f6c0afe8afd2a7&start=3311&end=4024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3718355-b775d338ae6b336456f6c0afe8afd2a7/thumbnail_3311860.jpg","/articles/6210497/Meridian/Lauderdale-County/Mississippi/Residents-press-Meridian-council-on-nighttime-truck-noise-dispatch-response-and-overgrowth-staff-offers-followup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6210497-52d9cee6b8d8f1cee4f4480715b35dd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776255048&Signature=h-U8S-WmL0mywY-BVhNr6wsnfzb3K-83~Y2ypmgUvYGzka8oH8pRl0lDkv4Mks9DTKfjEGcV7HFwliQVpOSMmtZEP8tHMVuhmXiGXYmpBTb3Xm3BL8x4hMrAdl6rHJxyOMisBPXsAIMPLmjnByyKNOiSYCixlM4MsMQkRyObQPw2VQJQkosrA-XOFoSdgfHwMmpSEc3fwEAaGZ-JeYdm75r9Yk3PqMFGKOp7qJl9n1JFSe5RPDoR6pu4PwK7NbSDMJUvzB1B889b~HrvzwUKsI21U9UNbkvPgWtuNNo7x2RNnIXw8SBFD2cej7Dxrs1QAhW-x~Jfn7assKH6y7Zaig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meridian — Several residents used the June 3 public comment period to press the Meridian City Council on neighborhood issues ranging from loud trucks and dispatch practices to right‑of‑way grass cutting and equipment availability.

A resident described repeated late‑night truck noise and said she had reported it by calling 311. A police department representative told the meeting that, under the city’s noise ordinance, “If it’s heard within 50 feet, you’re violating the city noise ordinance,” and explained that the city’s dispatch function is part of a larger county E‑911 operation. The representative advised callers that dispatch will send a patrol unit and that callers may remain anonymous if they prefer.

Public works staff responded to complaints about mowing and overgrowth by describing the city’s rotation for in‑town grass cutting and saying staff and equipment availability can limit how quickly crews can reach every block. A public works speaker said more crews and equipment would solve the backlog: “More people just like with litter. I mean, same scenario. If we had more people and more equipment, we could get more more right‑of‑way [maintenance],” and staff agreed to follow up with residents who requested targeted assistance.

In public comments on other topics, resident Ruth H. Jones asked the council to consider naming an island park for a longtime volunteer, saying, “I want this island park named after Miss Rosenbaum.” The request was presented as a citizen appeal during public comment; no council action on a park‑renaming occurred that day.

What the city said it would do: council members and staff offered to meet with complainants after the meeting to discuss possible remedies, including tips for working with dispatch, and to provide a city follow‑up on rights‑of‑way maintenance schedules.

Ending: The council did not take formal action on noise enforcement or maintenance staffing at the June 3 meeting; staff promised follow‑up to individual complainants and said dispatch/911 issues could require coordination with county E‑911 services.","At the June 3 Meridian City Council meeting residents described repeated nighttime truck noise, uneven dispatch responses and concerns about grass cutting and equipment. A police representative cited the city noise ordinance threshold and public works staff said staffing and equipment affect the city's maintenance rotation.","actionData","errors"]

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Meridian weighs $144.5 million water‑sewer capital plan and three rate options, no vote taken

Residents press Meridian council on nighttime truck noise, dispatch response and overgrowth; staff offers follow‑up