Water treatment plant costs higher than predicted

The cost associated with running Scott City's new water treatment plant turned out to be greater than originally expected, said officials at Monday night's city council meeting.

The city's public works department reported that costs for chemicals used in the treatment process are running at a rate of about $32,000 per year, higher than was expected, while electricity costs are running about $1,400 per month, also slightly higher than original estimates.

City administrator Ron Eskew said chemical costs can vary from plant to plant and the city couldn't foresee this expense. Officials said the council may have to look at a rate increase or a budget analysis to account for the increased cost.

"I don't want to see a rate increase, but the city is going to have to do something to recoup the cost," said Ward 3 Alderman Robert Tyler.

The city has also had unrelated problems with sewer systems that were installed decades ago. Sewer back-ups from poor planning have taken a great deal of resources from the public works department, said Mayor Tim Porch, and the city will have to deal with more in the future. Porch also wants to see several homes within the city limits that don't currently have sewer service put online.

Porch also directed police to be tougher on repeat offenders in nuisance violations, such as overgrown grass. Now repeat offenders will be immediately ticketed, instead of issued notices.

"I'm as sick of this as I am of drugs," Porch said.

The council also voted to begin condemnation proceedings on a house at 123 Cherry St.

msanders@semissourian.com

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