Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Folsom clerk urges committee to reopen grant round for small towns lacking water infrastructure
Summary
Margaret Steele, municipal clerk for Folsom, asked the committee to reopen the water grant program to allow small, sales-tax-only municipalities to apply for water-system funding.
Margaret Steele, municipal clerk for the Village of Folsom in St. Tammany Parish, urged the committee to reopen the state water grant program so communities without access to property-tax revenue could apply for funding to replace aging systems.
Steele said Folsom needs a new water tank and well and estimated the cost at about $7,000,000. She said the village relies primarily on sales tax and does not collect property tax for general operations: "We do need a new water system... it is gonna cost us approximately $7,000,000. The village of Folsom only survives off a sales tax."
Senator Meisel voiced support, noting the village had been a good steward of funds and offering to assist. Senator Reese said he intends to pursue another round of applications later in the year, which could present an opportunity for small communities that missed the current cycle.
No formal committee action was taken on the public comment; staff noted the committee's earlier statement about intention to consider future application rounds.
