Lewiston council approves first reading to place $22.54 million infrastructure bond on November ballot

The Lewiston City Council on Monday approved the first reading of Ordinance 49‑55, ordering a special bond election on whether to issue up to $22,540,000 in general-obligation bonds to pay for wastewater, water, stormwater and road infrastructure improvements. The motion was moved by Councilor Schroeder and seconded by Council President Klieberg and carried on a voice vote.

Public Works Director Dustin Johnson told the council the measure is a reworked version of a $25 million package the city placed on the May ballot that failed to reach the state-required supermajority. He said the city surveyed about 450 respondents after that election and used the feedback to refine the proposal. "That bond was not successful in its need to reach 66 or super majority of vote. We were short, I think, a hundred and 5254 votes," Johnson said, and…