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Defiance council approves ordinance to seek $6.13 million loan for wastewater plant upgrades
Summary
City council adopted an ordinance authorizing application for a $6,134,100 low-interest loan to fund required upgrades at the Water Pollution Control Plant, including a septic receiving facility and new headworks; council approved the measure as an emergency.
Defiance City Council on the study-session portion of its meeting authorized city staff to apply for a $6,134,100 low-interest loan to fund required upgrades at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
City Administrator Ryan Mack and plant staff described the project as an Ohio EPA/IWIP-required upgrade. “Those upgrades will include a new septic receiving facility” and “new headworks” with finer bar screens to protect pumps and equipment, council was told.
The council’s action authorizes the application for a Water Pollution Loan Fund (WPLF) low-interest loan to cover design and construction. Assistant water pollution control superintendent Kevin Connor joined staff on the dais to answer technical questions. When asked about the expected interest rate, a city official said it would be “just above 3%.”
The ordinance was considered under emergency procedures and was adopted after a motion to suspend rules and a roll-call vote. Council members voting in favor included Missus Crutch, Mister Engel, Mister Corbett, Mister Hancock, Mister Rusty, Mister Mass and others, and the clerk declared the ordinance adopted.
Why it matters: The upgrade is tied to the city’s IWIP obligations and aims to reduce maintenance risks and operational disruptions at the plant by adding a dedicated septic receiving facility and improved screening equipment, which staff said will protect costly pumps and improve handling of septage deliveries.
Details and next steps: Council authorized the loan application; staff did not present a detailed construction schedule in the session recording. The ordinance as adopted authorizes loan application and declares emergency to expedite design and construction procurement.
Staff and council asked finance and plant staff to coordinate loan terms and timing; the record shows staff told council the loan rate would be approximately “just above 3%.” No final financing contract was presented at the meeting.
