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Council examines water and sewer budget; staff to pursue study and secure land for future tower
Summary
Councilors reviewed water and sewer operating and capital items — chemicals, meter replacement, a $140,000 study to reassess plant capacity, and a proposed nearly $197,000 land purchase to reserve a site for a future water tower.
Isanti City councilors spent significant time on water and sewer budgets, questioning long-term capacity, near-term operating costs and several capital items.
Staff said $62,000 was budgeted for water treatment chemicals and $35,000 for meters (new-home meters are paid through building permits). For wastewater, staff listed about $80,000 for treatment chemicals and noted efforts to use biological treatments to reduce expensive sludge removal.
On capital needs, staff described a potential large study—budgeted partially in professional services—estimated at roughly $140,000 to determine whether growth will force the city to move from pond treatment to a mechanical wastewater plant. The study would evaluate capacity thresholds and MPCA requirements; staff said the study might be pushed to 2027 depending on the review of current numbers.
Councilors also reviewed a proposed water tower land acquisition line of about $197,000. Staff explained the intent is to buy land now to secure a suitable elevation and avoid price escalation, but emphasized purchase would secure land only, not construction of a tower.
On hydrants and maintenance, Josh (public works staff) explained the city has about 392 hydrants and that the $15,000 paint line would not cover half the system; staff will obtain vendor quotes and return with cost estimates. The council asked for confirmation on whether recent UV-bulb replacements should affect a $153,000 UV system CIP line for disinfection and asked staff to verify those costs.
Staff committed to verifying the sewer-CIP totals, returning corrected numbers at the next meeting, and bringing detailed vendor quotes for hydrant painting, UV disinfection and the wastewater study.
The council did not take formal action to approve the studies or purchases at this meeting; staff was asked to return with verified estimates.
