Council debates how to handle lead-service replacements and a water/sewer rate study

City Engineer Jared Griffith told the Foley City Council staff has begun preliminary design inspections for the lead-service-line replacement portion of the 2025 street/utility project and asked whether the council wants staff to assess properties for the public-side portion of service replacement if state and federal funds are accepted to pay the full-service replacement.

Griffith said about 49 services are in question and that "around 20 of the 49 services" have lead on the public side. He described the funding as "state and federal dollars," noted the state's goal to replace all lead services by 2037, and said participation by residents is currently voluntary. The key question for council direction is whether the city should proceed with its usual practice of assessing the public-side portion when the city receives outside funds for full-service replacement.

Administrator Sarah Brun separately presented two proposals for a water/sewer rate study from firms A2S and Northland. The study would produce a 10-year forecast and help the city formalize winter sewer-rate policy, evaluate tiered residential or commercial rates, and incorporate new capital costs related to the regional connection to St. Cloud. Staff recommended completing the study in 2025 and implementing any changes in the 2026 budget cycle.

Councilors asked staff to return with options and clear cost/assessment scenarios, including how accepting public-side funding would affect assessments for properties not eligible for replacement. No final policy was decided; council requested more information before making an assessment policy choice.