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Hixton board hears plan to repair 70,000-gallon leak, but TIF won’t cover cost
Summary
At a Feb. 17 meeting the Hixton Village Board heard from Cedarcorp that a water leak under the railroad tracks lost roughly 70,000 gallons and will require design/build work estimated at about $180,000; Cedarcorp and the board said the village’s current TIF status likely prevents using TIF funds and the board may consider a loan.
The Village of Hixton Board on Feb. 17 heard details about a significant water leak and limited local funding options to pay for repairs.
Representatives from Cedarcorp presented a five-year plan and discussed the village’s tax-increment financing status. Josh Miller, a TIF specialist with Cedarcorp, told the board the village TIF is at 28% and that a new TIF cannot be created until it reaches 12%. The board asked whether TIF money could pay to repair the leak beneath the railroad tracks and was told the TIF extension likely prevents that option.
Cedarcorp representatives estimated the repair would cost approximately $180,000 and said the work would require design and build procurement; the firm suggested special meetings might be needed to advance the project. The minutes record no formal funding decision at the Feb. 17 meeting.
Public utilities representative Jim Simonson reported that from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 17 the village lost roughly 70,000 gallons of water as a result of the leak. Simonson said crews would install two new valves on Feb. 18 and that he had spoken with the Department of Natural Resources; he told the board that additional remediation is planned for spring when temperatures rise.
The board listed approval to seek a loan for the repair as a future agenda item, signaling officials may pursue outside financing if TIF funding is unavailable. The board did not take a final vote on funding at the meeting.
