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South Burlington holds informational hearing on $50.2M Bartlett Bay wastewater upgrade ahead of bond vote
Summary
City staff briefed the public on a proposed $50.2 million Bartlett Bay wastewater plant upgrade and asked voters to authorize a $16.4 million increase from the 2023 bond; staff said the loan keeps the project on a low‑interest Clean Water SRF list and would cost the average ratepayer roughly $16 more per year in FY28.
City Manager Jesse Baker and engineering consultant Kirsten DiPietro outlined a proposed $50.2 million upgrade to the Bartlett Bay wastewater treatment facility at an informational hearing July 13, a day before the bond question appears on the ballot.
"This is a local ballot bond vote question for additional financing for our Bartlett Bay wastewater treatment facility," Baker said, describing the measure as authority for the council to take on debt if voters approve. Staff said the 2023 voter‑approved authorization was $33,800,000; post‑bid estimates and added scope now bring total project cost to $50,200,000, a $16,400,000 delta the city is asking voters to approve.
Baker and staff emphasized that the city currently has a committed, low‑interest Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan (approximately 2%) and that losing the project’s place on the funding list would require alternate, likely more costly, financing. "We have a fully designed and permitted project ready to go, and we have a qualified contractor who is holding the bid for this project as we go through this bond vote," Baker said.
Staff presented an example of rate impacts: in fiscal‑year 2028 the additional loan would raise the annual cost for an average wastewater user by about $16. City Manager Jesse Baker and other staff said the administration has worked to keep rates low compared with peer communities and provided a multi‑decade rate projection.
The hearing was informational as required by statute; staff noted that if voters approve the bond, the council would next consider awarding the low bidder’s contract and finalizing financing.
