Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Sewer topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Abita Springs council approves $3.8 million pre-application for sewer upgrades
Summary
The Abita Springs Town Council voted Aug. 19 to adopt a resolution authorizing a $3.8 million not-to-exceed pre-application for two sewer projects — a force main and a lift station — and to seek potential loan forgiveness; the application is a pre-application only and final borrowing will require further review.
The Abita Springs Town Council on Aug. 19 adopted a resolution authorizing a $3.8 million not-to-exceed pre-application for sewer system upgrades, council members said.
Leanne Schaefer, the newly appointed town clerk who explained the filing, said staff submitted the pre-application to preserve the town’s eligibility for loan forgiveness tied to state programs. "We had to have it in by Friday," Schaefer said during the meeting. "They potentially can forgive up to 49% plus an additional $500,000 if there's storm water improvements." The pre-application does not commit the town to borrow the full amount; bond attorneys will review the full application and the town’s debt capacity before any final loan is sought.
Council members said the $3.8 million figure is a not-to-exceed amount intended to cover two projects engineers proposed: a force main (estimated at roughly $2.1 million) to serve the Meadow subdivision and nearby areas, and a Keller Street lift station (about $1.5 million) intended to relieve an undersized sewer line. "One is the force main for the Meadow subdivision," a council member explained; "the other is the Keller Street lift station," which would divert flow and alleviate overloading of an existing six-inch line.
During public comment, resident Stuart urged caution about large borrowing and encouraged relying on ongoing revenues where possible. Council members responded that the applications include capital improvements (not only maintenance) and that a prior rate study was meant to improve the town’s ability to maintain and finance system needs.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote with no opposing voices recorded. Officials emphasized the action was to file a pre-application and that the amount the town ultimately pursues will depend on engineering refinements and bond counsel review.
Next steps: staff will work with the town’s engineer and bond attorneys on a full application and present formal borrowing requests and any required budget amendments to the council for approval.
