Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Sewer Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Birdseye officials ask Dubois County for up to $350,000 match for wastewater grant application
Summary
Town leaders from Birdseye requested a county commitment of approximately $350,000 as local match for a wastewater infrastructure grant application; commissioners indicated consensus to support proceeding to apply for the grant and asked for formal documentation to meet grant deadlines.
Town officials from Birdseye asked the Dubois County commissioners for a commitment of roughly $350,000 to serve as local match for a wastewater infrastructure grant application. The town and its regional planning partner said the investment is necessary to fix aging sewer infrastructure, reduce infiltration and achieve compliance that would allow new connections and economic growth.
Greg Edgar, town council president, described multiple engineering studies and a pared-down project package that focuses on manhole rehabilitation, pipeline repairs and lift station upgrades. "Most of the pipes, water and sewer, unfortunately, are 50 plus years old," Edgar said.
Jessica Ponder, project administrator with the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission, outlined the grant timetable: a funding intent letter was to be submitted by April 17 and a full application by May 16; award announcements were expected in August with an 18-month completion window if awarded. Ponder told commissioners the full project had initially been estimated at about $2.7 million but had been reduced to core repairs the town could reasonably afford; she said the town sought a county match of about $350,000 and anticipated other borrowings.
County discussion noted the town's constrained finances and the project's potential to lift the town off a sewer connection moratorium that currently prevents new hookups. Commissioners expressed tentative support and asked for formal documentation (resolution/letter of commitment) to meet the grant schedule; Ponder said she would work with county staff to finalize language and materials in time for the May application deadline.
Commissioners indicated consensus to proceed with preparing the documentation. No formal binding appropriation was adopted at the meeting; the request was for a commitment to include in the grant application and will return for formal action if the grant proceeds.
Votes at a glance: Commissioners indicated consensus support to prepare a county match letter (not a formal appropriation) to allow Birdseye to apply for Okra/ORAA round-one funding.
