Council’s water committee endorses phased bond approach, details well and storage timeline and conservation push

At the Sept. 23 Heath City Council meeting the Water & Infrastructure Committee presented an in-depth update on the city’s Water Bridge plan and recommended steps to increase supply and storage while limiting short‑term rate shocks.

Committee chair Councilman Scott Dodson and City Manager Steve Alexander outlined supply and storage shortfalls, consultant projections on wholesale water cost increases, and a financing approach to spread borrowing across two fiscal years. The committee and staff said phasing the debt reduces near‑term pressure on customer rates and better times bond proceeds with construction schedules.

Steve Alexander summarized rate projections from the city’s rate consultant, Willdan, and the updated cost picture after a lower-than-expected bid for Water Well No. 1. He told council that Willdan’s recalculation showed materially higher rate impacts if the full previously planned $72 million bond issue were sold immediately — illustrations in staff slides showed possible first‑year water increases in the 30% range under that scenario — but that phasing the borrowing (Option 2) reduces projected increases in the first two years (presented examples: ~24% then ~24%, then 16%). Alexander also presented sample…