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Anderson council advances sewer bond and rate ordinances amid concern over CSOs and long-term costs
Summary
The council gave initial approval to a sewer-bond ordinance (up to $10 million) and a sewer-rate amendment proposing an 18% increase to address bond covenant coverage, consent-decree obligations and interceptor projects that staff say will eliminate two CSO outlets; residents and some council members pressed for a detailed multiyear plan and affordability protections.
The Anderson City Council passed first readings Jan. 22 for a pair of sewer ordinances to authorize revenue bonds and raise sewer rates by 18% to address operating shortfalls and long-term compliance costs under a federal consent decree.
Mayor Tom Broderick and city staff said the sewer utility faces statutory and contractual obligations that require revenue coverage and capital work. Tim Lyons, assistant city attorney, described the consent decree and its history, including modifications extending implementation deadlines; he said the city has proposed a modified long-term-control approach to regulators and is seeking additional time while implementing prioritized projects. Lyons summarized recent work and said the city’s December submittal to regulators estimated long-term capital of roughly $84 million tied to CSO reductions and an additional ~$103 million in other…
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