Town hears plan to repair aging levee; staff to return with reappropriation options

Levee superintendent Tim Carr told the Scottsville Town Council on Jan. 11 that recent inspections found concrete deterioration at the pump house and along the Lehi wall, and that contractors proposed completing the work in two parts.

"The levy was built primarily in 1986, dedicated in 1987. So it's coming up on 39 years old," Carr said, and described concrete cracking at the pump house and failed gaskets between wall segments. He said the contractor bid put the pump house repairs at about $33,000 and the Lehi wall portion at about $51,000.

Why it matters: the levee's passing inspection status affects flood insurance, liability and public safety for homes behind the levee. Council members said maintaining the levee is a high priority.

Javier, the town staff member who oversees budgeting, said the county provides an annual stipend of about $21,000 that helps cover levy maintenance but would not fully cover the one-time repair costs. He recommended staff work up numbers and return in February with a reappropriation proposal that could spread costs over two fiscal years to avoid drawing on other restricted funds.

Councilors pressed for more detail on the bids and how long the repairs would extend the levee's service life. "I'll try to give you some good information to make a decision on this," Javier said, asking for time to work the numbers before presenting formal options in February.

The council did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; staff said they would return with a detailed reappropriation recommendation and any additional funding options, including possible grant or federal infrastructure funds to investigate.

Next steps: staff will prepare a February report with a proposed reappropriation, estimated timelines for the two-phase work and any additional funding sources to present to council for a formal decision.