Wheeling council approves up to $80 million water and sewer bond and adopts rate increases; wastewater digester work to begin

Wheeling City Council on Oct. 7 approved an ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $80,000,000 in combined waterworks and sewage system improvement revenue bonds and adopted new water and sewer rates to finance a slate of water-main and wastewater-treatment projects.

The bond ordinance and the rate ordinances were adopted during the council's regular meeting after the council conducted a public-hearing period that included one speaker who reviewed the project list and costs. The measures passed with the council voting to record their approval during the session.

City Manager Herron told the council the bond and rate changes are intended to fund both routine repairs and larger upgrades identified after the 2024 flood. "The adoption of the bond ordinance tonight as well as the sewer rate increase ... will enable that project to begin, and the contractors are already mobilizing and ready to go," Herron said. He said contractor mobilization is expected in November.

Why it matters: The measures will fund immediate…