Calvert County ratifies $24.76 million in MWIFA applications for five water projects
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Summary
The BOCC ratified submission of five Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration applications totaling $24,764,000 for drinking-water and water-quality projects, including a Highlands low-pressure sewer project that will proceed to community review for special-tax-district financing.
On Feb. 10 the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners ratified the board president’s approval and authorized submission of five Maryland Water Infrastructure Financing Administration (MWIFA) applications seeking a combined $24,764,000 for capital drinking-water and water-quality projects.
Deputy Director James Ritter and project engineers described the five projects and the request amounts: Windy Hills (Paris Oak pump station replacement), $2,800,000; Shores of Calvert water-distribution replacement, $2,064,000; AMI Prince Frederick (advanced metering infrastructure replacement), $2,000,000; Highlands low-pressure sewer project (replacing failing septic systems with grinder-pump systems and force mains), $16,400,000; and Chesapeake Heights–Dares Beach distribution replacement phase 2a, $1,500,000. "The total request is $24,764,000 for five separate projects," staff told the board.
Staff explained that funding will likely be a mix of low-interest loans and grants, depending on award terms, and that loan repayment is planned through the county’s water enterprise fund. For the Highlands project staff emphasized several contingent steps: a petition for a special tax district has been submitted by the Highlands HOA board, the county will proceed through public hearings and, if awarded funds, staff will calculate parcel-level costs and present options back to the community for a final decision. "Once we receive the amount of the grants and loans we’ll determine the final cost per parcel and present that back to the community for them to decide," a project engineer said.
The BOCC approved ratification of the applications by voice vote. Staff said the county does not yet have bonding authority for the package; award amounts and program terms will determine final financing and next steps.
Next steps: MWIFA will grade and award funds; staff will notify communities (for example Highlands) once award amounts are known and follow the special-tax-district and public-hearing processes before any construction or tax assessments proceed.