Bluff City aldermen pass first reading to buy two sewer pumps after residents report recurring backups

Bluff City’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen on a special meeting approved the first reading of Ordinance 2025-006, authorizing $13,625 from the water and sewer reserve to purchase two sewer pumps for the Bridge (SR‑390) and Igloo (44 Igloo) pump stations. The board voted to advance the ordinance to a second reading and public hearing at the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 3.

The vote followed public comments from residents who described repeated sewer backups and basement flooding, and a staff presentation that said one existing pump at the Bridge station is obsolete and that new pumps include grinder features to reduce clogging.

Misty Levesque, who gave her address at 4346 Plus City Highway, said her house has been unusable because of sewer backups: "I'm having to go next door to shower and use the bathroom because mine is unusable." Levesque told the board she and two professional plumbers have inspected the line and that she believes a neighbor's tree and property layout may be involved; she asked the board where to find the relevant ordinance or guidance on responsibility for lines that cross private property.

A staff member identified only as Alan told the board the Bridge (SR‑390) pump station had two pumps in November but one failed because of electrical problems and other issues; the existing unit is obsolete and replacement parts would cost more than half the price of a new pump. "The pump is absolutely obsolete," Alan said. He said the plan is to install a newer model that is compatible with the remaining pump. Alan said the Bridge pump currently is a 5‑horsepower unit and the replacement will be 7.5 horsepower. He said the Igloo station now has a 6.5‑horsepower pump and the board will replace it with a 5‑horsepower unit. Alan also said both replacement pumps will include a grinder feature to help reduce clogs.

Alan described how clogged pumps reduce flow: pumps designed for about 200 gallons per minute can fall to roughly 80 gallons per minute when partially blocked, increasing the risk of overflows. He said the Bridge station had required emergency response when a float was sucked into equipment during a high‑level alarm event, leading to a pump fail alarm and recurring problems.

A staff speaker referred to the funding source for the purchases: the money would come from the water and sewer reserve rather than the operating budget, similar to prior capital purchases such as police vehicles. The ordinance text presented to the board amends line item 413 (Water and Sewer) and lists the water and sewer fund total; the ordinance number presented was 2025‑006 and the clerk referenced an earlier ordinance 2024‑003 in the amendment language.

Alderman Malone moved to approve Ordinance 2025‑006 on first reading; Alderman Johnson seconded. Madam McCorder called the roll: Alderman Payne — yes; Alderman Malone — yes; Alderman Keough — yes; Vice Mayor Adams — absent; Alderman Johnson — yes. The clerk announced that first reading passed and that the second reading and public hearing will occur at the June 3 regular meeting.

Resident David asked the board why pumps installed as part of an earlier multi‑million‑dollar project had become obsolete, saying the community had paid for that work and questioning why replacements were needed so soon. The board did not adopt additional policy at the meeting; it advanced the ordinance and set the public hearing for June 3.

The ordinance as presented authorizes the purchase of two pumps, includes freight in the ordinance cost line, and lists five‑year warranties that staff said come with the new pumps. Staff and at least one alderman said the replacements were urgently needed to reduce the risk of further pump failures and overflows.