Wahpeton council postpones Kansas/Hill Avenue project to pay down water plant debt

The Wahpeton City Council voted Jan. 28 to postpone the Kansas/Hill Avenue reconstruction project until 2026 so funds designated for the work can be applied to the Water Plant Improvement Project debt.

City Clerk/Administrator Carrie Funk told the council the construction committee met Jan. 21 with Beck Engineering to review final plans and asked whether committee members would recommend postponing the Kansas/Hill Avenue Project to use those funds to pay down the water plant debt and help relieve residents from forecasted water and/or tax rate increases. Councilmember Holly Mead moved to postpone the project for reevaluation in 2026; Merlyn Kruger seconded and the motion passed, with all voting aye.

Resident Anthony Osborn of 1316 Kansas Ave. addressed the council after the vote, saying, "it is frustrating this project is being kicked down the road again," and noting he had already signed a construction easement and that the road is "horrible." Councilmember Rosalise Olson, who said she lives at 1507 Kansas Ave., told the council she shared Osborn's frustration and agreed the road condition is poor.

Mead defended the council's decision as fiscally cautious, saying the Water Plant Improvement Project is essential and that the council was trying "to be good stewards of taxpayers' money." Funk’s presentation to the council emphasized the committee’s recommendation arose from concern about rising debt service and the potential for higher water and tax rates if the water plant debt is not reduced.

The postponement does not cancel the Kansas/Hill Avenue project; it delays construction and earmarked spending until a reevaluation in 2026. The council’s minutes show no additional conditions or alternative funding identified at the meeting. The decision followed routine motions to approve the meeting agenda and Jan. 13 minutes, and the council then moved into a budget workshop later in the session.