Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG - The best way to fund a sewer project is about the only detail remaining before the town's facilities plan is complete.
Joe Tierney of Bonar & Associates reviewed three options for funding the project at Tuesday's council meeting.
Cost of the project could vary from $2.07 million to $2.6 million, depending on who pays for the lines on each homeowner's property.
With the highest rate, the town would pay to run the line to just outside each house. This would mean no expense to the homeowner up front, but a higher monthly fee once the sewer system is in place.
The cost could be lowered if homeowners pay a "capital charge" (Tierney suggested $2,000) to help offset the overall debt on the project. Homeowners would have to come up with the money up front, but their monthly user fee would be reduced.
The monthly cost could be lowered even more if the homeowner pays the capital charge and his own hookup fee.
Depending on which option the town chooses, the monthly user fee could be anywhere from $86 to $66.
While the idea of the lower monthly fee is attractive, council president Bob Cleveland wondered whether residents would have the $4,000 or so needed to get the lowest rate. He expressed concern that people would have to take out a loan to pay the up-front charges, in effect creating an additional monthly fee for the homeowner.
Tierney reminded those present that the facilities plan only recommends the sewer project; it does not commit the town to the project. Having a completed facilities plan keeps the council in the best position to obtain outside funding, which would reduce costs even more.
The town will pursue grants available through the Build Indiana Fund.
When the facilities plan is complete, the council will conduct a public hearing. Once a date for the hearing is set, the plan will be on display in several locations throughout Leesburg.
Residents are encouraged to review the plan, then attend the public hearing to give their input.
In other business:
• Wes Lauster thanked the council for increased police patrols in town and said he has noticed a difference in traffic. Cleveland said that in the five weeks Kosciusko County Sheriff's Deputy Chad Hill has been patrolling the town, he has issued 30 tickets, 25 of which were warnings.
• Street commissioner Ed Riordan reminded that grass clippings and garden waste should be bagged, not raked into the street. Leaves do not have to be bagged, but should be raked onto the tree lawns.
• Council set 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 for trick-or-treat.
