JUDICIAL OR VOTER APPROVED
Last year a study by Keller Associates revealed some heavily fatigued components in the city’s water delivery system. The city is taking the study results seriously and has gone through the list of needs on a priority basis. High on the list is a generator large enough to supply enough power to run the water treatment plant in case of an extended outage. Other aspects of the phase one project include a pressure regulating system for the Bar Hill and water line replacements.
The city of Salmon, with the assistance of Rick Miller of the East Central Idaho Planning and Development Company, has applied for a $400,000 Block Grant for the first phase. City Administrator Emery Penner said funding for the first phase is pretty much secured and it’s time to start the second phase which will be a $7.8 million project. “We are hoping to get at least a 40 percent grant on this phase. We still need to secure a bond in order to take on the debt that isn’t covered by the grant.”
Penner said the bond can be obtained either by voter approval in a city election or by Judicial Confirmation which is more expedient but still a long process. He said the city wants to get a head start on whichever way is decided since Phase II will take more engineering, more time and more money due to the extensive nature of the project.
Councilor Robin Phillips was concerned about the cost-of-living impact a bond would have on taxpayers. City Finance Director Amy Fealko said it would be a 2.5 percent increase for the next two years to what is being charged now and City Attorney Fred Snook estimated a $1.00 per month increase.
The question to be decided that evening, February 17, 2021, was whether to seek a bond election or apply for Judicial Confirmation. Phillips was assured there is a mandated Public Hearing involved in the Judicial Confirmation process so the public would have an input opportunity.
Councilor Jim Baker recalled the last time the city used Judicial Confirmation was for the city’s wastewater treatment plant and during the public hearing much information was gathered. Councilor Fred Waidely said the information from that hearing facilitated more informed decisions by the council.
Penner stated there is no guarantee the city will receive Judicial Confirmation.
Baker made a motion to proceed with the Judicial Confirmation process of obtaining a bond. During the discussion period following the motion Phillips said she supports the project but not the Judicial Confirmation method. Baker’s motion passed five to one with Baker, Bockelman, Russ Chinski, Waidely, and Neal James in favor and Phillips opposed.
The council went on to approve Penner putting out an official Request for Engineering Qualifications. He said that process can be done so the engineering will be ready to go when the final funding is approved. The vote to approve a motion by James to send out a Request for Engineering Qualifications was unanimous.
Another unanimous vote went to Sacajawea Center Director Suzy Avey’s request to apply for a $4,000 CHC grant which she would use for new benches at the center.