Support our future: Vote 'yes,' today, Aug. 4

Today, Jackson voters will face an important decision that will affect our city's future. The vote is for the upgrade of one of our city's most important infrastructures, our water system. The proposed $11.5 million water bond issue will bring improvements to Jackson's water infrastructure, replacing aging, inadequate pipes while increasing and improving water supply.

These improvements are critical to the growth, success and safety of our city, which is why I am urging all voters to support this bond issue. The changes will not require a tax increase. The water bonds will be repaid through a gradual increase to the city's annual water rates over a six-year period. The spreading of the water system improvements over a nine-year period, which enables the city to spread the bonds cost out, is a prudent and cost-effective way to manage this major project. The parts of the project that deal with the expansion of the system for population and business growth are planned for the middle and end of the project.

Beyond the urgency to provide safe, adequate water to neighborhoods across Jackson, each of us should be educated about how this will affect our family or business.

Under the proposed changes, the average family (based on a 5,000-gallon user) will pay:

• $3.89 more per month in 2016
• $4.42 more per month in 2019
• $2.41 more per month in 2022

Under the proposed changes, the average business (based on a 20,000-gallon user) will pay:

• $8.29 more per month in 2016
• $4.42 more per month in 2019
• $2.41 more per month in 2022

You can see the complete rate increase breakdown at JacksonMO.org. Sewer rates will not be increased due to this bond issue.

The changes allowed by the bond issue will help make Jackson safer, more efficient, more reliable and better positioned for future growth with:

• Improved fire safety throughout the city
• Improved household water quality, including better flow and fresher water
• Positive impact on the city's ISO fire safety classification
• Additional opportunities for growth, development and building improvements, particularly in the uptown area
• Long-term cost savings in persistent pipe repairs/water main breaks
• Expanded water supply to meet projected maximum daily demand

The bond issue covers:

• Replacing deteriorating and insufficient pipe
• Upgrading low-flow 2-inch and 4-inch water mains
• A new, 300,000-gallon storage tower
• Improvements to existing well and pumping equipment
• Construction of a new well for additional supply

Project timetable

Projects will be rolled out in three phases of three years each. Highest-priority projects that represent critical safety concerns, such as replacing the pipes with the lowest flow and 2-inch water mains, will begin in Phase I.

If you have questions about this bond issue, please contact the city at (573)243-4404 and you'll be directed to the appropriate person, or ask for me.

I am asking the citizens of Jackson to vote "yes" today. Thank you very much for your interest in Jackson's future.

Dwain Hahs serves as mayor of the city of Jackson. He can be reached at mayorhahs@jacksonmo.org.