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Byron advances sewer planning and connectivity requests; ARPA sewer funds tied to original project
Summary
Council agreed to move forward with engineering and grant planning for south-side sewer replacement, approved a one-time $736 pipe cost for a property connection, and confirmed $50,440.38 in unused ARPA sewer funds must be returned to the state; a proposed tap-fee increase was tabled pending cost breakdowns.
Byron’s council on July 14 advanced planning for sewer upgrades and addressed several water and sewer finance items, though the council delayed any vote on proposed tap-fee increases pending a detailed cost breakdown from Public Works.
Dave Shultz of engineering firm J-U-B recommended preparing design drawings and a strategic funding plan to replace the town’s south-side concrete-tile sewer lines, which council members said would be needed to pursue most outside grant funding. Council agreed to move forward with J-U-B for planning and grant-application support but recorded no formal appropriation at the meeting.
Council reviewed restrictions on previously awarded ARPA funds that were appropriated to the emergency sewer-lagoon project. Clerk/Treasurer Nicole Hunter reported $50,440.38 remained unused; under the grant terms those funds must be returned to the State and cannot be repurposed to other projects.
A discussion about increasing water and sewer tap fees (a staff suggestion to raise fees from $3,000 to $4,000 per tap) produced no vote. Council asked Public Works to provide a line-item cost breakdown — including road repair costs tied to tap installation — before any change. Mayor Allan Clark said if the council adopts a higher fee and actual costs are lower, "additional costs would be refunded." That refund policy was discussed but not formalized in the minutes.
Separately, property owner Bret George requested the Town pay for a final 20-foot section of 30" pipe (the other three sections were the owner’s responsibility) to connect his North Clarks Fork property to town utilities. The council approved an approximate $736 payment for that final section (motion by Brandon Hessenthaler, seconded by Shae Abraham).
The council also noted that funding has been awarded for the Rural Water Project through OSLI/SLIB and agreed to involve the town attorney to draft contracts for residents outside town limits who want town water connections.
Next steps recorded in the minutes: Public Works will provide itemized tap-installation costs for the council to review; J-U-B will proceed with design and funding planning on the south-side sewer project.
