Polk County approves $90,000 to help complete West Central regional water district formation

Polk County commissioners on March 4 voted to provide $90,000 to the West Central Regional Water District to help complete formation steps and finish preliminary engineering for a multi-county pipeline project serving small cities and rural customers.

The funding was requested by county staff and district leaders to cover a projected shortfall in planning and legal costs while the district pursues larger federal and state grants. "My name is Lucas Spaeth. I am the chairman of the West Central Board," Lucas Spaeth said while presenting the district's plans and financing needs. Brian Evenson, a city council member in Climax and Polk County's representative to the district board, told commissioners, "We're asking for this $90,000 to continue our work to finish the formation of the district." The board approved the request unanimously.

Why it matters: District organizers say a regional pipeline could lower long‑term capital and operation-and-maintenance costs for many small towns and rural users by replacing aging local water systems. The West Central plan would ultimately serve roughly 40,000 people across Polk, Clay and Norman counties and several small cities, the district told the board.

What commissioners heard: County staff reminded the board that Polk previously budgeted $135,000 toward the three-county formation effort and that earlier upsizing work on a pipeline section was funded with ARPA dollars. District leaders said the technical and legal scope has expanded since initial surveys, increasing engineering and legal expenses. They outlined likely funding sources under discussion: USDA rural development loans for participating cities, an earmark secured through a U.S. senator's office for an initial $3.5 million, anticipated EPA planning funds this summer, state bonding requests and additional federal grant requests. They also referenced a state formation statute cited in materials as "1 16 a".

Commissioners pressed for limits on future county contributions and for clarity on when the district would begin carrying its own costs. Several members expressed support for the project but cautioned that Polk County should not be expected to provide further regular cash infusions beyond the amount approved. County staff said the requested $90,000 is intended as stopgap funding to carry the district until larger grants and earmarks arrive; any unspent county funds would be returned.

Formal action: Commissioner Woodhite moved to approve a $90,000 contribution from Polk County toward the West Central Regional Water District's formation expenses and to solicit roughly $7,000 in smaller fees from communities as a separate, local participation "feeler." The motion was seconded by the board chair and approved by voice vote. Commissioners did not record an individual roll-call tally in the minutes.

Next steps and outstanding items: District leaders said they expect an upcoming court hearing this summer to finalize formation in Clay County and continue design and bidding for the first construction phase after Nealsville secures USDA funding. The district is simultaneously pursuing state bonding and congressional direct-spending requests; district leaders said they expect further federal and state decisions in the months ahead. Commissioners asked staff to return to a future agenda with any additional funding requests and to place a potential Polk County appointment to the district board on the next meeting agenda.

Evidence: District materials and testimony to the Polk County Board of Commissioners at the March 4 meeting outlined the scope, a projected funding gap and planned funding sources; county staff presented the county share and motion to fund the stopgap request.

Ending: With the county contribution approved, district leaders said they will continue engineering and legal work this spring while pursuing the larger grants needed for construction and long‑term operations.