Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves water loan for Eastside mains; water rates to rise
Summary
West Branch approved a water revenue loan to fund Eastside Water Main Phase 2, which will raise water rates 8% in addition to a scheduled 2% increase effective July 1, 2024; councilmembers cited failing mains and inadequate fire protection on the east side.
The West Branch City Council approved a water revenue loan and disbursement agreement on April 15 to fund the Eastside Water Main Phase 2 project, and City Administrator Adam Kofoed said the loan will trigger an 8% increase to water rates on top of a scheduled 2% increase effective July 1, 2024.
Kofoed opened the discussion by explaining the loan purpose and the rate change. Councilmember Tom Dean and Councilmember Jodee Stoolman — both who championed the project — said they had been alerted by Public Works Director Matt Goodale about failing water mains on the east side that had not been addressed for decades. Dean said the mains were failing and Stoolman said several fire hydrants were nonoperational, meaning firefighters would sometimes have to rely on hauled water for structure fires. Mayor Roger Laughlin added that eastside infrastructure had not been updated in nearly 50 years.
The Council approved Resolution 2024-32 to proceed with the loan and Phase 2 construction. The vote in favor included Councilmembers Dean, Sexton, Stoolman, Goodweiler and Horihan with no recorded nays.
Councilmembers noted the work is intended to improve service reliability and fire protection for eastside residents; Kofoed said project design and prior phases such as Eastside Water Main Phase 1 are part of an ongoing infrastructure program.
