Solomon seeks state funding as final designs submitted for multi‑phase water project

City staff told the Solomon City Council on Nov. 3 that final engineering designs for a proposed multi‑phase water infrastructure project have been completed and a grant application has been filed with the Kansas Water Office. A funding decision is expected by February, staff said.

Municipal Services Clerk Krista Radke said reviews of the designs are underway with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and that federal office closures could affect review timing. North Central Regional Planning Commission is assisting the city with grant and loan logistics, Radke said. The city is pursuing potential loan amendments to increase funding for phase one and will begin right-of-way easement work using NCRPC templates.

“Phase one planning will prioritize needed water-main and infrastructure repairs based on available funding,” Radke said. Staff outlined upcoming workshops on water rates and infrastructure financing and said NCRPC will present options for ongoing project administration in January because prior grant-administration funds have been expended.

Why it matters: the project covers essential water-main and system repairs that affect residents’ service and rates. If the Kansas Water Office approves funding, the city will need to finalize easements, set a project administration approach and decide whether to pursue loan amendments or rate changes to cover local match and long-term maintenance.

Next steps: the city awaits the Kansas Water Office funding decision, will continue KDHE/USDA reviews, and will schedule public workshops in coming months on rates and construction timelines.