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Burden to seek Kansas Water Office funding after combined sewer and water bids top $6.15 million
Summary
Midwest Assistance Program told the Burden City Council that bids raised the combined USDA/KDHE sewer and water project from an earlier $3.815 million estimate to over $6.15 million; the council authorized applying to the Kansas Water Office for the long-term financing shortfall and scheduled a special meeting to analyze options.
Shelly Underwood of the Midwest Assistance Program told the Burden City Council on Aug. 25 that recent bids for the city's combined USDA and Kansas Department of Health and Environment sewer and water project came in far above a 2022 estimate.
"The original 2022 preliminary combined project cost estimate was $3.815M vs now the 2025 combined project costs came in at over $6.15M," Underwood said, noting both interim and long-term financing shortfalls. She said the city faces an estimated additional interim financing need of $2,669,914.10 and additional long-term financing of $789,341.10.
Council members asked what could be trimmed from the project to avoid a $30-to-$40-per-month rate increase for utility customers; Underwood and City Clerk Julia Loving said the engineer could meet with the council in a special session. The council set a special meeting for Aug. 27 to review USDA and KDHE funding, revised cost projections, and potential cost-reduction options.
Council President Chris Cannon moved that the city seek funding through the Kansas Water Office (KWO) grant program to cover the long-term financing gap and authorized the mayor to sign affidavits allowing Midwest Assistance Program to apply on the city's behalf; the motion passed unanimously.
Underwood also reported that bond counsel (Gilmore and Bell) had been contacted to assist with financing options. No final financing package was approved at the meeting; council members directed staff and the consultant to pursue KWO application options and return with more detailed proposals.
