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Manila warns easement holdouts could imperil $3.4M EPA sewer project
Summary
Town officials said two property owners’ delayed easement agreements risk the $3.4 million EPA-funded Ylinchetta/Green Acres sewer project and that alternative routing or a lift station may be required if easements are not secured.
Mayor Kathi Knight told the council the town is negotiating easements needed for the EPA-funded Ylinchetta/Green Acres sewer line and that the project’s federal grant ($3.4 million) requires the funds to be held separate from the general fund. After extended negotiations, property owners were given a two-week deadline to accept the existing easement proposal; Mayor Knight said if easements are not obtained the project in its current form likely will not proceed and the town may need to consider alternatives such as a lift station or revised routing.
To avoid bank charges on a new EPA Public Funds Checking account set up for the grant, the town transferred $4,000 to meet a waived-fee minimum balance; Councilmember Gretchen Northcott moved to ratify maintaining the $4,000 balance and the motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Knight also reported staff are working with USDA representatives on a separate SEARCH grant question concerning the town’s Public Treasurers’ Investment Fund (PTIF), which contains restricted and reserved funds the town uses to preserve long-term stability. USDA asked staff to clarify that PTIF funds are not unrestricted operating funds; town staff continue to provide documentation to USDA.
Council discussion emphasized the risk that the specific EPA funding level and timing may be difficult to replicate if the project stalls, and that securing easements is now the project’s critical path. The council did not take further action beyond ratifying the account arrangement but asked staff to continue negotiating and to report back.
