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Resident questions rising cost of Mound water treatment project; council outlines funding gap
Summary
A resident pressed the council about escalating cost estimates for the city's proposed water treatment plant; staff said the current estimate is about $42 million, with $10.3 million secured from the state and roughly $2 million federal, leaving a significant funding gap the city must close.
Resident Johan Schuma urged the council to clarify rising estimates for Mound's proposed water treatment plant, telling the panel he had seen figures rise from $10 million and $20 million to as much as $40 million.
"I heard 40 million first; it started at 10 and 20 then 40," said Resident Johan Schuma of 6039 Beachwood Road. He asked which figure was now accurate and warned that, he estimated, the cost would amount to roughly $12,000 per family of four.
City staff responded that the project's all-in estimate is still preliminary and currently in the low-$40 million range. Staff stated the city has secured $10.3 million in state funding and slightly more than $2 million in federal support; officials said they are pursuing additional funds from the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) and other sources, and that the remaining amount will need to be financed once design and final estimates are complete.
The consent agenda approved during the meeting included an e-pay request (number three) for phase-two water treatment infrastructure work in the amount of $85,786, listed as part of ongoing project payments.
Council members and staff repeatedly emphasized that the $42 million figure is an estimate that could change during design and that additional funding steps will follow: pursuing grants and state bonding, applying for PFA assistance, and structuring any local borrowing. Several council members urged residents to contact state legislators about pending bonding and funding bills that could affect the project.
Next steps: staff will continue design work, finalize budget estimates and funding plans, and return to the council with more detailed proposals. The council also encouraged the community to follow state-level developments and to contact legislators about clean-water funding.
