Town board approves $183,300 design contract to advance wastewater SRF application

The Medora Town Council voted to accept a $183,300 design contract intended to complete engineering, permitting and bidding so the town’s wastewater project can move forward in the State Revolving Fund (SRF) process.

Engineer/Presenter (S4) told the council the contract covers funding coordination, preliminary and final design, permitting and the bidding/negotiation phase and said those steps are required “in order to get the project designed to a 100% and then get it to the point where you can advertise and bid.” The presenter said the contract price — $183,300 — follows the non‑construction costs submitted to SRF in April, with an added line for funding coordination to help the town through public hearings and the SRF application process.

Committee member (S1) said using funds on hand rather than waiting for loan proceeds would let the town begin design now and demonstrate readiness to funders. “If we can get design going, that clears the way for any last‑minute hurdles,” S1 said, urging the council to move forward so the town can be put in a position to bid quickly when funding is offered.

Chair (S3) called for a motion to accept the contract; after a motion and voice vote the chair declared the motion passed. The presenter said he would remain after the meeting to obtain signatures and begin a kickoff meeting within about two weeks so the team can meet SRF scheduling milestones.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract signatures, schedule kickoff meetings with the consultant and track the SRF scoring and pool‑funding announcements the presenter said typically arrive in late summer. No specific bid date was set beyond the SRF timing guidance the consultant described.