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Ely council hears $3.9 million state-bonding report for Burntside waterline; project funding still pending governor approval
Summary
Mayor Omerza told the May 19 council the legislature approved a $3.9 million state bonding allocation for the Burntside Waterline Project but that the funding remains contingent on the governor's signature; Clerk/Treasurer Langowski gave a near-$9 million project funding breakdown and said the city hopes to break ground later this summer.
Mayor Omerza told the Ely City Council on May 19 that Senator Hauschild informed her the legislature had approved a $3.9 million state bonding appropriation for the Burntside Waterline Project, but she cautioned the allocation is not final until the governor signs the bill. "I appreciate all the work that Clerk/Treasurer Langowski has put into this project," Mayor Omerza said.
Clerk/Treasurer Langowski provided a detailed funding summary and timeline for the project, which she said is approximately $9 million to complete. Langowski said the city has line-item commitments that include roughly $2 million in congressionally directed EPA funds (guidelines pending), about $200,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, approximately $190,000 in IRRR funds, and a planned $2.5 million low-interest loan from the PFA at about 1 percent. The prospective $3.9 million in state bonding would be added to those sources; Langowski said the city used federal contributions and the low-interest loan to provide required matching dollars.
Langowski said the financing package is in place pending the governor's action and that a construction schedule will be prepared if the funding is finalized. "The project is nearly $9 Million to complete," Langowski said, and "we hope to break ground later this summer to begin construction."
Why it matters: the Burntside Waterline Project delivers a primary water source to parts of the city and represents the largest single infrastructure investment discussed at the meeting. Because one large portion of funding is subject to executive approval, the schedule and final financing still carry contingent risk.
What comes next: Langowski said the city is awaiting formal guidance on the congressionally directed EPA funds and final sign-off on the state bonding. The council did not vote on any final contract or borrowing package on May 19; the discussion was an informational funding update and planning step.
Provenance: topic introduced SEG 003 (Mayor Omerza reported "the $3.9 million state bonding bill for the Burntside Waterline Project had been approved. It is not official until the governor signs off.") and further detail given SEG 021 (Langowski's funding breakdown and construction timing).
