Carroll County PSA warned of large cost jump for Exit 1 wastewater project; tomato plant raises supply questions

Carroll County Public Service Authority members were told Nov. 3 that the Exit 1 regional wastewater projectnow carries a much higher estimated cost and that funding and capacity decisions may be required to move forward.

"First item I have on here is the Exit 1 regional wastewater project," PSA staff member Watson said, reporting that, after talking with the funding agency, "the estimated cost to Carroll would be 6 point almost 6.6." Watson said the increase reflects partner changes and inflation from earlier estimates that had assumed three partners and a lower total cost.

Watson said the funding agency will perform a credit review and affordability analysis and that the PSA must provide current audits for the authority and the county. "They don't wanna loan you the money if you can't pay for it," Watson said. He said the agency will issue recommendations and that, depending on that review, there "might be some commitments from either rate increases from the PSA or some additional support from the county" to secure the financing.

Watson warned the board that the external funding could disappear if the project is not started within the current fiscal window. He also said the Exit 1 plant remains under a consent order that has not been released, though operations are generally "running…