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Council authorizes junior‑lien revenue bonds for water and sewage projects, including lead service replacements and wastewater plant upgrades
Summary
The council held public hearings and adopted resolutions authorizing supplemental issuance of junior‑lien revenue bonds for the water supply system and sewage disposal system to fund lead service line replacements, a White Street water main replacement and wastewater plant repairs and UV treatment.
The Saginaw City Council authorized the supplemental issuance of junior‑lien revenue bonds for the water supply system and the issuance of junior‑lien revenue bonds for the sewage disposal system after public hearings and presentations by city water staff.
Mike Green, the city’s director of water and wastewater, told the council the water bond authorization covers two primary projects: replacement of lead service lines and replacement of a water main on White Street. He said the authorization is structured to allow up to $18,800,000 but that staff expected the actual borrowings to be significantly lower; he estimated the likely amount for the water projects to be roughly $9,000,000 while the authorization sets a higher cap to allow state approval and flexibility.
For the sewage disposal system, Green said the authorization covers major repairs at the wastewater plant — replacement of large valves and concrete repairs to clarifiers — and installation of ultraviolet (UV) treatment to replace or reduce chemical (chlorine) disinfection. Green said the UV installation is expected to reduce ongoing chemical costs and modernize a treatment system that is at the end of its useful life. He said both bond resolutions support the city’s FY25 State Revolving Fund (SRF) grant applications and that the SRF awards include significant loan forgiveness for eligible projects.
Both public hearings were closed after staff presentations and brief public discussion. Council adopted resolutions authorizing the supplemental issuance of water supply system junior‑lien revenue bonds, series 2025, and the issuance of sewage disposal system junior‑lien revenue bonds, series 2025. The motions passed on voice votes; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
Why it matters: The measures authorize borrowing to finance infrastructure repairs and lead service line replacements that affect water quality and wastewater plant reliability. The staff emphasized SRF grant support and loan forgiveness as a material part of the financing package.
What’s next: Staff will finalize bond issuance details and proceed with SRF grant paperwork and engineering procurement. Projects will proceed in coordination with permitting, construction scheduling and SRF conditions.
