Heath finance board presses staff on Water Bridge phasing, 24% water-rate increase and bond timing

The Heath Finance Board on Nov. 6 pressed city staff and advisers for details about the timing and cost of the Water Bridge plan and the link between that program and a proposed $39.9 million bond financing that underpins a 24% proposed water-rate increase.

Staff member Jay said the first phase of the Water Bridge plan covers construction associated with well No. 1, design work for wells 2'4 and a 1.5 million-gallon elevated storage tank, while a future Phase 2 would include the 3,000,000-gallon ground storage tank and would leave timing for wells 5 and 6 to be decided later.

"The 5,500,000.0 is just to build well number 1," Jay said, adding that the larger per-well estimates for additional wells (about $6.25 million to $6.5 million) cover construction and engineering design and "include tying that well into our water system" and treatment-building work. He clarified that ongoing operational costs such as…