Wheeler council adopts water-leak billing adjustment ordinance and authorizes DEQ study loan for Hemlock Street

The Wheeler City Council on July 16 adopted Ordinance 2024-01, establishing an account-adjustment policy for customer water leaks, and approved authorization to apply for a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) forgivable study loan of up to $54,000 to advance planning for a Hemlock Street water project.

The water leak policy was read into the record at a prior meeting and brought for adoption after brief council discussion about administrative thresholds and city manager authority for smaller adjustments. A councilor moved to adopt the ordinance; another seconded; the motion carried and the ordinance was recorded as passed.

Council also discussed Ordinance/Resolution 2024-02 to apply for a forgivable DEQ loan to cover engineering and geotechnical studies for a larger water infrastructure project estimated at more than $1 million. Councilors clarified that the $54,000 request is a forgivable loan for preliminary technical work and not the total construction budget. A motion to authorize the application passed with recorded "aye" votes from Councilor Karen Matthews and Paul Porter; additional members indicated support during roll call.

Council members noted they received the draft ordinance and the loan documents from the city attorney and confirmed that the DEQ funding would help the city complete required studies before seeking construction funding or bonding. No further conditions were attached to the authorizations at the meeting.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the DEQ application and provide further details on administration of the water-leak adjustment policy as the city implements the ordinance.