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Buckner approves immediate water-tower repairs after residents report costly damage
Summary
After residents described repeated water outages and repair bills as high as $7,000, Buckner aldermen approved immediate repairs to the town’s water tower and discussed financing and longer-term infrastructure plans.
Resident Cassie Bradley told the Board of Aldermen that multiple households in Buckner have faced steep bills from recent water failures, saying, “we're curious what kind of plans are in place for replacing that infrastructure” and that neighbors had paid as much as $7,000 for a replacement service line.
City leaders responded that aging buried valves and piecemeal repairs have produced cascading failures. A speaker presenting an ESI crew proposal said the company will replace parts in the water-tower pit, rebuild a level-control valve and install new regulators; the presenter reported material costs of $451,188 and technician labor of about $3,200 for an eight-hour job. Officials said the tower was drained to allow the work and that the new system should restore pressure control and reduce bypassing.
Finance officer Natalie Friendly told the board the water-sewer fund balance is about $112,000 and that some ARPA funds may be available; she and other officials warned against saddling taxpayers with long-term debt. Natalie also cited an engineering-level estimate of “at least $1.6 million” for larger sewer repairs identified in recent studies.
City attorney Alex said the city has notified its insurer about potential claims and directed residents seeking compensation to City Hall for insurer contact information.
A motion to authorize the immediate ESI repairs was made and passed by voice vote. Officials said ESI will perform the work the next business day and provide staff training on the new equipment.
The board did not produce a roll-call vote; officials said staff will return with updated cost clarifications and any proposed financing options for longer-term pipe and valve replacement.
