BOURBON — The Bourbon Town Council met for their regular meeting in February on Tuesday the 14th.
The Council held a public hearing on Water Rates and Ordinance 2023-2. After a presentation by Eric Walsh and Tyler Coffel of Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, after public feedback and much discussion, the council approved final adoption of Ordinance 2023 – base + alternate.
The Town has retained Wessler Engineering as the Consulting Engineer for the Project. The project will include a well rehabilitation, a new water treatment plant, and an alternative new production well (Well No. 3). The current plant was built in 1965 making it 58 years old.
Residents can expect to see their water rates increase by $17 per approximately 4,000 gallons a month in Phase One starting as early as April. A second increase will be implemented in Phase Two starting in January 2024 of another $17 per customer from that point.
Bids came in lower than expected and the Town of Bourbon opted to use $200,000 out of the Utilities Budget to lower the cost of what they had to borrow.
The Town of Bourbon will be a secondary borrower in a State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan in the amount of $5M; benefiting from the state’s Triple A credit rating resulting in a lower cost of borrowing. The project qualifies through the SRF program for a 35-year loan. Town of Bourbon Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger was sympathetic to concerns voiced for those individuals on fixed incomes; but by not moving forward with the project there was concern of “catastrophic” consequences down the road should the plant fail. Berger noted not only families, but the school children depend on clean water.
President Ward Byers added that from an economic standpoint, the Town needs to not only provide clean water for current customers but for future development of additional businesses and families. Insurance rates are also impacted by Water Treatment Plant efficiency.
Adam Sitka of Wessler Engineering requested that the Council approve preparation of a Notice of Award to lowest bidder Crosby Construction for the work. Council Vice President Les McFarland asked, “What’s your working relationship with them? Are they good?” Sitka had not worked with Crosby Construction yet personally; but affirmed that they have a good working relationship with Wessler including an ongoing project now. His request was approved. That Notice of Award will be contingent on the SRF but will place Crosby Construction on notice for the work.
The Council also approved acceptance of Wessler Engineering Amendment #4 – Construction Engineering Packet.
The Council also approved the Labor Standards Agreement with Priority Project Resources Inc. Since it’s a state funded project, it will include Union Labor. The bills will come to Berger, she will sign them and send them to a representative at Priority Project Resources Inc. who will check compliance with contracts and pay for Union Workers. Those will be forwarded to SRF and the State will pay the bills on behalf of the Town of Bourbon. The cost of the agreement is $42,500 which is part of the loan.
