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Waverly outlines capital projects, proposes SRF loans and remodel plan while prioritizing water and sewer
Summary
City staff told council the priority projects are SRF-funded sewer lining and lift-station work (estimated $2.5–3M each), a $48,000 bridge feasibility study and a $2.56M golf clubhouse remodel proposal to be financed partly by local option sales tax and a $960,000 G.O. borrowing. Council favored prioritizing water/sewer and equipment but took no borrowing votes.
City staff presented a prioritized list of capital projects at the Feb. 7 budget study session, emphasizing water and sewer work eligible for State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans, a feasibility study for a bridge near City Hall, and a proposed remodel of the golf clubhouse.
Staff advised that several SRF-eligible projects are ready to move forward, including lift-station improvements and extensive sewer lining. Estimated costs for major SRF projects were described in the $2.5–3 million range per project; staff said the sewer-lining scope under consideration would cover roughly 24,000–25,000 feet (about five miles), which represents about 8–10% of the city’s system. "It's a lot of lining in sewer systems," James said, noting the work would significantly reduce infiltration and long-term maintenance costs.
Staff also proposed a roughly $48,000 feasibility study for the rail-trail/veil bridge adjacent to City Hall to establish grant eligibility and the best replacement path. On recreational facilities, staff recommended remodeling the 80-year-old golf clubhouse rather than a new referendum-level rebuild. The remodel estimate was about $2.56 million; staff suggested financing options that would use the statutory $960,000 general obligation (G.O.) borrowing limit for part of the cost and roughly $1.6 million from local option sales tax over 10 years to avoid a countywide property-tax referendum.
Other capital items discussed included targeted roadway repairs (10th Avenue Southwest, estimated at roughly $500,000), specific cemetery-road repairs ($100,000 for the worst stretch), and an equipment package trimmed to $750,000 funded across several city accounts. Staff noted a placeholder of $1,000,000 for a potential new well funded in part by PFAS-related resources, but said final costs and timing remain uncertain.
Council members pressed for clarification on levy impact and debt capacity; staff estimated the levy impact near current levels (a few cents change per $100,000 in value depending on scenarios) and noted the city remains within tax-exempt debt capacity limits but must account for SRF inclusion in calculations. No formal borrowing decisions were made; members generally favored prioritizing water/sewer projects and equipment replacement ahead of less-essential items.
Next steps: staff will refine cost estimates and funding scenarios, and council will consider specific borrowing or funding actions in upcoming budget hearings.
