Meeting planned between cities to discuss water issues
Marion City Council discussed options regarding the participation in providing funds for an analysis of Marion Reservoir.
"Drinking water is one of the most important resources we've got," councilman Bill Holdeman said.
The cities of Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody, and Marion County have been asked to contribute to the matching portion of a grant program. The total match is $75,200.
Marion County Commission is asking Marion and Hillsboro to pay half and the county would pay half.
City administrator David Mayfield said it was unfair to split it 50-50 between Marion and Hillsboro at a cost of $18,800 each because Hillsboro had more customers than Marion.
Mayfield reported that Hillsboro had 1,165 customers in the city, and 584 customers in Peabody for a total of 1,749 customers.
Marion city has 999 customers and 184 customers at Marion County Park and Lake for a total of 1,183.
He suggested a cost of $12.82 per customer and a total of $15,116 for Marion and $22,422 for Hillsboro.
Mayfield also suggested water rates be increased 16 cents per 1,000 gallons per customer or increase the mill levy to offset the unplanned expense.
Holdeman said the city needed to move forward and participate in this program without raising any rates or taxes.
"We've got the money," he said.
Peggy Blackman, program coordinator, said the funds were for an analysis of sediment and blue-green algae issues, not implementation. Holdeman asked Blackman if Hillsboro was willing to participate.
Blackman responded that the City of Hillsboro wanted to participate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' study which would have cost $900,000.
When the study is completed, real-time monitors will be placed in the lake for ongoing analysis. Blackman said it would probably take three years to complete the analysis and this would be an ongoing expense and project.
She suggested a meeting between elected officials from the three city councils to discuss options. Blackman will arrange.
During the forum portion of the meeting, Max Hayen said the city already was paying for the project through county taxes.
He also reminded the council about the repair and overlay of South Third Street as promised by the county.
